Evaluation of banana germplasm for the leaf industry and for suitability to different growing environments in India

• Authors : Uma, S.; Selvarajan, R.; Sathiamoorthy, S.; Ramesh Kumar, A.; Durai, P.


• Document type : Journal article


• Year of publication : 2003


• Journal title : Plant Genetic Resources Newsletter


• Number : (134)




• Pages : 26-32


• Peer-reviewed : No


• ISSN : 1020-3362


• Language(s) : English


• Abstract : Banana is an important fruit crop in India with great socioeconomic relevance. The plant is called Kalpataru (plant of all virtues) owing to the versatile uses of all its plant parts. Apart from its commercial dual utilities as a dessert and culinary crop, other banana-based industries have not gained much attention. The banana leaf industry is one of the banana-based businesses in the southern states of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. The annual turnover of the leaf industry is estimated to be Rupees 128 million, approximately equivalent to 1/7th of the annual turnover of the banana industry. Use of banana leaves as biodegradable dining plates has both cultural and ecological significance. Compared with other banana-based industries, such as the fibre industry, this has become a source of livelihood for several marginal farming communities. This industry has proved advantageous due to: (a) sustainable demand for leaf throughout the year; (b) a year-round sustained source of income for the farming families; (c) the ability to balance the price fluctuation faced by the farmer in the fruit industry, to a greater extent; and (d) its applicability to different banana production systems including garden land cultivation, wet land cultivation and high-land gardens. At present banana cultivation is increasingly threatened by different fungal and viral diseases. But different leaf spot diseases caused by different fungal pathogens are of highest concern in the leaf industry. Of late, in cv. Poovan, the leaf spot caused by Mycospharella has become very serious. Drechslera leaf spot, which affects only the young leaves, is a major concern during January to April. In spite of its importance, research towards the banana-leaf industry has been limited. In the present study efforts have been made to screen and evaluate banana germplasm for leaf harvesting purposes.


• Keywords : CULTIVATION; USES; VARIETY TRIALS; INDIA; LEAF HARVESTING


• Open access : Yes


• Document on publisher's site : View article on publisher's site


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• Musalit document ID : IN030611

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