Yield Stability of East African Highland Cooking Banana ‘Matooke’ Hybrids

Abstract

East African banana (Musa sp.) breeding efforts have focused mainly on enhancing ‘Matooke’ productivity through the development of high-yielding, pathogen-resistant cultivars with adequate stability to contribute to regional food security. Before a breeding program can recommend promising cultivars for release, they must pass the sensory screens; be evaluated in the target population environments; and the data analyzed for yield, adaptability, and stability. Twenty-four primary and secondary triploid hybrids [NARITA (N)] derived from ‘Matooke’ bananas, six triploid local ‘Matooke’ cultivars, and one exotic cultivar were evaluated for their yield, adaptability, and stability across the East African region at three highland sites in Uganda’s western and central regions, as well as at three sites in Tanzania’s northeastern and southern highlands regions, from 2016–19. A randomized complete block design with four replicates was used for multisite trials. The mixed-model restricted maximum likelihood/best linear unbiased prediction approach, along with additive main effect multiplicative interaction model biplots, were used to dissect and visualize genotype-by-environment patterns. Following the likelihood ratio test, both genotype and interaction effects were highly significant, confirming the influence of genotype and site heterogeneity for selecting specific and broadly adapted cultivars. N23 had the greatest yield across all sites associated with adaptability and stability, outperforming the overall mean yield of all genotypes by 34.2%. In Tanzania, N27 (second), N7 (third), N18 (fourth), N4 (fifth), N12 (sixth), and N13 (seventh); and in Uganda, N17 (second), N18 (third), N2 (fourth), N8 (fifth), N13 (sixth), N12 (seventh), N4 (eighth), and N24 (ninth) demonstrated good adaptability and stability, as well as high yield. Furthermore, the fungal pathogen Pseudocercospora fijiensis had no significant effect (P > 0.05) on yield, stability, and adaptability of the hybrids. As a result, they can be introduced into areas where black leaf streak constrains banana production significantly and threatens farmers’ livelihoods. The average site yield potential ranged from 9.7 to 24.3 t⋅ha–1 per year. The best discriminating sites for testing breeding clones were Lyamungo in Tanzania and Sendusu in Uganda. Hence, these testing sites are recommended as ideal examples of locations for selecting superior genotypes.

Genetic Mapping, Candidate Gene Identification and Marker Validation for Host Plant Resistance to the Race 4 of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense Using Musa acuminata ssp. malaccensis

“…Of the 11 ‘Matooke’ tetraploid parents screened, two of them, ‘1438K-1’ and ‘376K-7’, were positive for the resistant band ( Table S3 ). Of all the ‘NARITA’ triploids that were assessed for yield stability in Uganda and Tanzania [ 63 ], line numbers 1, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 13, 15, 16, 17, 19, 22, 23, and 25 carried the dominant allele. In the ‘NARITA’ triploids and the other triploid hybrids screened, the presence of the dominant allele in the heterozygous state (H) was most likely inherited from their male diploid parents, namely ‘SH3362’, ‘5610S-1’, ‘TMB2 × 7197-2’, ‘SH3217’, and ‘Malaccensis_250’ ( Table S3 ).…”

Overview of the Current Status of Uganda’s Banana Sector: Formalizing the Matooke Sector may not be the Best Policy Option

“…The overall matooke breeding efforts have focused on enhancing productivity through the development of pathogenresistant high-yielding varieties with adequate stability [35].…”

Technological Advancements and the Changing Face of Crop Yield Stability in Asia

“…These crops over long time periods have been analyzed by many studies (Xu et al 2020). Bananas are among the 10 most important food crops worldwide and are now considered a crucial but often underestimated food crop, providing a staple source of sustenance for millions around the globe because of their year-round production and high demand (Madalla et al 2022;Ravi et al 2013). Rice, being the second largest cereal crop, is considered as one of the most significant food crops worldwide (Zewdu et al 2020).…”

“…Crop production is strongly influenced by varying environmental conditions (Chen et al 2018;Hao et al 2007;Jallouli et al 2022;Li et al 2021;Madalla et al 2022;Powell et al 2012;Rahman et al 2001;Ravi et al 2013;Swegarden et al 2016;Temesgen et al 2015;Wachira et al 2002), and production technology (management practices, such as crop varieties, fertilization, and cropping system types) should be able to respond to environmental features typical for the geographical zone of production. High yields should be achieved with low annual fluctuations, regardless of actual weather patterns.…”