Annual Research & Review in Biology

The enormous perennial monocotyledonous herb banana (Musa spp.), which includes dessert and cooking varieties, is found in more than 120 countries and is a member of the order Zingiberales and family Musaceae. Cultivated bananas originated primarily from the wild diploid species Musa acuminata (A genome) and Musa balbisiana (B genome) through intra- and inter-specific hybridisation and selections via somatic variation.  This review highlighted the research programmes conducted and hybrids developed with special emphasis on the contribution of the India agricultural Research Institute and provided a roadmap for carving out future research programmes for the banana breeding programme. During a hybridisation programme, although many crosses were made, seed set and seed germination were relatively poor in many crosses. Generation of parthenocarpic hybrids depends largely upon selection and utilisation of parents with parthenocarpic pedigree in a breeding programme. Evaluation of hybrids and parents indicated the nature of inheritance with respect to plant height and suckering habit, but no definite trend could be ascribed to the traits of bunch orientation. Triploid (AAB) X Diploid (AA) x Diploid (BB) breeding approach has led to identification of a superior triploid hybrid, CO 1 (AAB), while Triploid x Diploid approach has led to the development of a promising diploid hybrid CO 2 (Karpooravalli (ABB) x Pisang Lilin (AA)) and triploid hybrid CO 3 (AB) banana (Karpooravalli x H 201), Banana Kaveri Kanchan (Nendran x cv. Rose), ICAR- NRCB has released new varieties like Udayam, Kaveri Saba, Kaveri Kalki, Kaveri Sugantham, Kaveri Haritha and Kaveri Kanya and BRS 1 and BRS 2 from kerala to meet out various stressors. New varieties are required to boost the morale of banana farmers and other associated stakeholders.