Knowledge for Development

Banana genotype composition along the border between Uganda and the DR Congo

Author:

Date: 18/02/2014

Introduction:

Deborah Karamura of Bioversity International (formerly IPGRI,  www.bioversityinternational.org), explored Musa genetic resources along the Uganda-DR Congo  border, sampled unique Musa germplasm and assessed the cross-border genotype diversity. This in situ analysis of banana diversity reveals that the bananas were of different types: almost half are of the cooking types, the rest is split between roasting, dessert and beer/juice types. The exercise made possible the collection of 18 new genotypes.  

The research is a chapter of the following book published by CABI: 'Banana Systems in the Humid Highlands of Sub-Saharan Africa. Enhancing Resilience and Productivity'.