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Title: Current status of the banana and plantain collection at the USDA-ARS Tropical Agriculture Research Station, Mayaguez, Puerto Rico

Author
item Ayala-Silva, Tomas
item Goenaga, Ricardo

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/26/2017
Publication Date: 11/26/2017
Citation: Ayala Silva, T., Goenaga, R.J. 2017. Current Status of the Banana and Plantain Collection at the USDA Tropical Agriculture Research Station. pp. 56. Memoria Cientifica, IV Congreso Latinoamericano y del Caribe de Plátanos y Bananos, XVIII Congreso Nacional Mexicano de Productores de Plátano, Tecoman, Colima, MX; 27 to 30 de November 2017.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Banana (Musa acuminata Colla. [AA, AAA]; Musa x paradisiaca Colla [ABB, AAAB, AABB]), are large monocotyledonous plants in the Musaceae family and is one of the world’s furthermost important crops in the world. High genetic variability can be found in centers of origin, but the lack of diversity in commercial production is obvious. To prevent disappearance of important genetic resources, a germplasm collection was established for banana and plantain. The main objective of the current research is to maintain clonally propagated germplasm collections of banana and plantain, to phenotypically and genotypically characterize accessions to assess genetic diversity, horticultural identity, and identify prospective improved genotypes. Characterization efforts emphasis is on passport, management, site, phenotypic and genotypic descriptors, and evaluation data. First (mother crop) and second (ratoon) season phenotypic data has been collected and analyzed. Phenotypic traits of agronomic importance include, bunch weight, number or hands, as well as days to flower and days to maturity. Phenotypic data for banana and plantain (Musa x paradisiaca Colla. [AAB]) has been published and included in the USDA-ARS, Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN) database and can be accessed in the GRIN Global website (http://www.ars-grin.gov/). Accessions being characterized are available for distribution for research purposes. Ongoing efforts are focus on field verification and characterization of Musa spp. maintained in vitro and in Cryo >10 years at Bioversity International-ITC, as well as the utilization of molecular markers (SNP’s using NGS (GBS) technology) for estimating genetic diversity as well as determining horticultural identity.