Banana Morphological Characterization

Morphological characterization using Banana Descriptor published by Bioversity International (formerly INIBAP). It is important for banana curators or genebank managers to use this descriptor to have a uniform/standard way of gathering data as well as to facilitate exchange of information among different countries.

Origin of Edible Bananas

All edible bananas originated from the 2 wild species of bananas namely, Musa balbisiana and Musa acuminata (Source: Valmayor 2002). The development of sterility and parthenocarpy gave rise to primitive clones and later chromosomal restitution resulted in triploid seedless cultivars. Hybridization between the 2 species also gave rise to several natural hybrid varieties like Latundan (AAB). Because farmers prefer the seedless varieties they are ones that were selected and domesticated and later produced in large quantities.

Progenitors of Edible Bananas in the Philippines

The banana experts in the Philippines believe that all edible bananas (meaning those that can be eaten) came from the 2 wild species. Wild Musa balbisiana also known as "butuhan" or seeded banana and wild Musa acuminata known as monkey banana or "saging maching". These wild species can still be found growing in different parts of the country. Some of them have good tastes but unacceptable to the public because of the presence of seeds. in the pulp .However, these wild species could play an important role in the future as sources of resistance gene as well as tolerance to abiotic stress (due toc limate change) in breeding programs to develop better varieties of bananas.

Latundan Variety

Latundan (AAB) is another popular banana dessert variety in the Philippines. Unfortunately, this cultivar is susceptible to fusarium wilt (will be discussed later).