NRU :: Browsing by Author "Swennen, Rony"

Browsing by Author "Swennen, Rony"

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Application of Pollen Germination Media on Stigmas during Pollination Increases Seed Set in East African Highland Cooking Bananas (Musa spp.)
(Agronomy, 2021) Waniale, Allan; Swennen, Rony; Settumba, B. Mukasa; Tugume, Arthur K.; Kubiriba, Jerome; Tushemereirwe, Wilberforce K.; Amah, Delphine; Tumuhimbise, Robooni
Seed set in East African Highland Cooking bananas (EAHBs) is extremely low and therefore hampers breeding. Pollen–pistil interaction is a key contributing factor. We assessed the effect of pollen germination media (PGM) on seed set in EAHBs. Five EAHB cultivars were pollinated with pollen from the wild banana ‘Calcutta 4’. Glucose-based PGM sprayed on freshly emerged stigmas significantly increased seed set per 100 fruits per bunch. Increases were 73.5% in ‘Enzirabahima’, 39.9% in ‘Mshale’, and 302.4% in ‘Nshonowa’. However, PGM did not increase seed set in the female sterile ‘Mlelembo’ and ‘Nakitembe’. As larger bunches were more fertile, good field management practices are also recommended to get more seed to improve breeding efficiency.
Bananas and Plantains (Musa spp.)
(Springer, Cham, 2017) Brown, Allan; Tumuhimbise, Robooni; Amah, Delphine; Uwimana, Brigitte; Nyine, Moses; Mduma, Hassan; Talengera, David; Karamura, Deborah; Kuriba, Jerome; Swennen, Rony
With a production of 145 million metric tons worldwide (worth 26.5 billion Euro), banana (Musa spp.) is one of the world’s most important staple food crops and arguably the world’s most popular fruit in terms of international trade (FAO 2014). Banana and plantains (Musa spp.), collectively referred to here as bananas, are grown in more than 135 countries and found in most tropical and subtropical regions around the world. While industrialized nations view banana primarily as a dessert item, many regions of the developing world consider cooking bananas and plantains as essential staples that contribute significantly to the caloric intake of low-income subsistence farmers. Although sensitivity to photoperiod has been noted in certain cultivars (Fortescue et al. 2011), banana is an almost nonseasonal crop that reliably provides a carbohydrate source year-round which makes it vitally important to both nutrition and food security.
Changes in leaf lamina shape and size during banana shoot development
(Journal of Applied Biosciences, 1997) Blomme, Guy; Turyagyenda, Laban Frank; Soka, Geofrey; Swennen, Rony
Bananas and plantains are grown as perennial crops, producing consecutive generations from suckers, which develop on the main plant. Sucker development consists of distinct physiological stages: peeper (small sucker appearing just above the ground and bearing scale leaves only), sword sucker (large sucker with lanceolate type leaves) and maiden sucker (large non-fruiting sucker with foliage leaves). Peepers, sword suckers and maiden suckers represent a distinct physiological stage in sucker growth with distinct morphological features, the most important being the leaf lamina size. The aim of this study was to assess changes in leaf lamina shape during the growth of lateral shoots and to determine how fast suckers from different genotypes develop broad leaves to manufacture their own food through photosynthesis, and thus reducing their dependency on the parent for nutrients. This can be achieved by determining how fast the sucker leaf length: width ratio halves (i.e. the RL50 value).
Evaluation of banana germplasm and genetic analysis of an F1 population for resistance to Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense race 1
(Euphytica, 2019) Kabiita Arinaitwe, Ivan; Teo, Chee How; Kayat, Fatimah; Tumuhimbise, Robooni; Uwimana, Brigitte; Kubiriba, Jerome; Swennen, Rony; Ann, Jennifer; Rofina Yasmin Othman, Harikrishna
Fusarium wilt of bananas (Musa spp.), caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense (Foc) causes up to 100% yield loss in bananas. Foc race 1 in particular is very devastating to dessert bananas in Uganda. One of the effective control strategies for the disease is the development of resistant cultivars through breeding. The objectives of this study were to identify suitable banana germplasm for generating a segregating population for resistance to Foc race 1 and understand the mode of inheritance of resistance to Foc race 1. Twenty-two banana accessions sourced from the National Agricultural Research Organisation in Uganda were challenged with Foc race 1 in a screen house experiment. Monyet, resistant to Foc race 1 and Kokopo, susceptible, were selected and crossed to generate 142 F1 genotypes. These F1 genotypes were also challenged with Foc race 1 in a screen house experiment. Data were collected on rhizome discoloration index (RDI), leaf symptom index (LSI) and pseudo-stem splitting (PSS), and analysed for variability. The banana accessions evaluated showed varying degrees of resistance to Foc race 1. Segregation ratios for resistant versus susceptible progenies fitted 13:3 (v2 = 0.12, P = 0.73) for RDI and 11:5 (v2 = 3.04, P = 0.08) for PSS. Estimated broad sense heritability was 27.8% for RDI, 13.9% for LSI and 14.7% for PSS. The results suggest that resistance to Foc race 1 in banana is controlled by at least two dominant genes with epistatic interaction and that
Expression of a rice chitinase gene in transgenic banana (‘Gros Michel’, AAA genome group) confers resistance to black leaf streak disease
(Transgenic research, 2013) Kova´cs, Gabriella; Sa´gi, La´szlo´; Jacon, Ge´raldine; Arinaitwe, Geofrey; Busogoro, Jean-Pierre; Thiry, Els; Strosse, Hannelore; Swennen, Rony; Remy, Serge
Transgenic banana (Musa acuminata ‘Gros Michel’) integrating either of two rice chitinase genes was generated and its resistance to Black Leaf Streak disease caused by the fungus Mycosphaerella fijiensis was tested using a leaf disk bioassay. PCR screening indicated the presence of the hpt selectable marker gene in more than 90 % of the lines tested, whereas more than three quarters of the lines contained the linked rice chitinase gene resulting in a co-transformation frequency of at least 71.4 %. Further, a unique stable integration of the transgenes in each line revealed some false negative PCR results and the expected co-transformation frequency of 100 %. Gabriella Kova´cs, La´szlo´ Sa´gi contributed equally to this work.
Performance of Narita Banana Hybrids in the Preliminary Yield Trial for Three Cycles in Uganda
(NARO, 2015) Tushemereirwe, Wilberforce; Batte, Michael; Nyine, Moses; Tumuhimbise, Robooni; Barekye, Alex; Ssali, Tendo; Talengera, David; Kubiriba, Jerome; Lorenzen, Jim; Swennen, Rony; Brigitte, Uwimana
Bananas (Musa spp.) are an indispensable part of life in Eastern Africa providing up to one fifth of total calorie consumption per capita. Unlike many staple crops, bananas deliver food throughout the year, making them an ideal crop for household incomes, food and nutrition security. However, banana yields are low due to several factors amongst others pests and diseases: weevils and nematodes, Fusarium wilt, bacterial wilt and black Sigatoka. There are many potential technology-based interventions for increasing banana yields but host plant resistance is the most appropriate and cost effective intervention given the current stage of development of banana systems in the region. Host-plant resistance also offers significant spill over benefits for human health and positive environmental impacts. Therefore, the Ugandan National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO) and the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) jointly breed bananas largely for host-plant resistance to improve banana yields. One of the most important current products of their joint banana breeding efforts is secondary triploid hybrids for food and juice herein referred to as NARITA hybrids. This name specifies the contribution of NARO and IITA. An earlier report (NARITA report 1) presented the results of 25 NARITA hybrids for cycles 1 and 2 combined. The current report presents and discusses the results of the same 25 NARITA hybrids (18 for food and seven for juice) evaluated for three crop cycles at Sendusu in central Uganda and analyzed in combined and separate forms. Results of individual NARITA hybrids within cycles showed high degree of variation for the traits assessed, implying a high potential for selection among the NARITA hybrids evaluated. For example, the bunch weight (BWT) of the individual NARITA hybrids ranged from as low as 5 kg for NARITA 19 to as high as 45 kg for NARITA 24 with a mean of 17.8 kg. Averaged across three cycles, BWT ranged from as low as 8.7 kg for NARITA 19 to as a high as 30.4 kg for NARITA 24. Ninety six per cent of the hybrids had a mean BWT greater than the mean of the local check (Mbwazirume) (11.0 kg). Similarly, NARITA hybrids were better than Mbwazirume for most of the other traits assessed. Eighty four per cent of the NARITA hybrids evaluated were better than the best founder parent (NFUUKA) for bunch yield (t ha-1), indicative of the significant breeding progress made by NARO and IITA in this breeding program. This could be confirmed by the positive better founder parent heterosis for BWT recorded by all NARITA hybrids, with NARITA 17, NARITA 18, NARITA 7 (M9), NARITA 21 and NARITA 14 (all food type) exhibiting highest heterosis. Results of combined analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed significant differences among the NARITA hybrids for all the 14 traits assessed including BWT. This indicated the potential for further selection and improvement of the NARITA hybrids for all the 14 traits. Additionally, results of combined ANOVA showed significant differences among three crop cycles for all the traits assessed except days to bunch maturity (DTM) and number of functional leaves at flowering (NFLF), indicating that the selection of banana hybrids could best be done at certain cycle numbers. The performance of NARITA hybrids for most traits was much higher at cycles 2 and 3 than at cycle 1 with the highest performance observed at cycle 3. However, the difference between cycle 2 and cycle 3 was not significantly different for most traits including BWT. The clear implication of this is that selection for banana hybrids should be done at cycle 2 to reduce costs involved in the management of trials since banana trials are always huge considering the size of bananas as well as spacing of 3 x 3 m or 2 x 3 m commonly used. Also, banana performance data analysis should not be based on a combined evaluation of cycle 1 and 2, as was previously done for NARITA report 1, but on an analysis of individual cycles, preferably cycle 2. The limitation of single site and single line plots is acknowledged. Hence, NARITA hybrids will be evaluated in larger and replicated multi-location trials to ascertain their actual performance, adaptability and stability in comparison with the local EAHB cultivars. Nevertheless, based on these preliminary results, potential high yielding banana hybrids combining resistance to black Sigatoka and farmer-preferred quality traits exist within this NARITA population.
Root And Shoot Development During the Plant Crop and The First Ratoon of Banana and Plantain (Musa Spp.) With Implications for Perennial Cultivation on Degraded Ultisols in South-Eastern Nigeria.
(ACORBAT, 2006) Blomme, Guy; Swennen, Rony; Turyagyenda, Laban Frank; Tenkouano, Abdou
The effect of cycle on root system and shoot development was studied for two crop cycles (plant crop and first ratoon). The study revealed that shoot and root system development declined from the plant crop to the first ratoon for plants grown on degraded Ultisols in south-eastern Nigeria.
Seed Set Patterns in East African Cooking Bananas (Musa spp.) are Dependent on Weather Before, During, and After Pollination
(Research Square, 2020) Waniale, Allan; Mukasa, Settumba B.; Tugume, Arthur K.; Tumuhimbise, Robooni; Kubiriba, Jerome; Tushemereirwe, Wilberforce K.; Batte, Michael; Brown, Allan; Swennen, Rony
Seed set in banana (Musa spp.) is influenced by weather but the most critical weather attribute(s) and the critical period are unknown. Such information is of paramount importance to increase seed set for banana breeding programs. Three female fertile East African cooking bananas (EACBs), ‘Enzirabahima’ (AAA), ‘Mshale’ (AA), and ‘Nshonowa’ (AA) were pollinated with the highly male fertile wild banana ‘Calcutta 4’ (AA). At full maturity, bunches were harvested and ripened and seeds extracted from ripe fruit pulp. Seed set was then correlated with weather before, during, and after pollination. Results: Seed set was positively correlated with high temperatures (r=0.172 – 0.488), solar radiation (r=0.181 – 0.282) and negatively correlated with rainfall (r=-0.214 – -0.238) and relative humidity (RH) (r=-0.158 – -0.438) between 75 and 15 days before pollination (DBP). The pattern of weather association was cultivar-dependent with ‘Nshonowa’ having the strongest significant associations. At the time of pollination, high average temperatures were critical for seed set in ‘Enzirabahima’ (r=0.214, P<0.01) while high morning RH was critical for ‘Mshale’ (r=0.299, P<0.01). After pollination, high morning temperatures were associated with seed set (r=0.150 – 0.429) between 15 days to 90 days after pollination (DAP). High average temperatures were negatively correlated with seed set in ‘Mshale’ and ‘Nshonowa’ from 45 DAP to time of harvest (r=-0.208 – -0.344). Coefficients of correlation were generally highest 15 DBP especially for ‘Mshale’ and ‘Nshonowa.’ Principle component analysis showed that average and maximum temperature are the most important variables in the entire data set. Conclusion: Coefficients of correlation were generally less than 0.5 partly as a result of weather involvement in seed set at several floral development stages; before, during, and after pollination. The most critical developmental stage is 15 DBP especially for ‘Mshale’ and ‘Nshonowa’ as they had the high correlation coefficients. Average temperature should be the main focus for seed set increase in banana.
Seed Set Patterns in East African Cooking Bananas are Asymmetric in Bunches and Fruits
(Research Square, 2020) Waniale, Allan; Mukasa, Settumba B.; Tugume, Arthur K.; Tumuhimbise, Robooni; Kubiriba, Jerome; Tushemereirwe, Wilberforce K.; Batte, Michael; Brown, Allan; Swennen, Rony
Low female fertility in bananas is the biggest hurdle for banana breeding. The aim of this study was to determine seed set patterns in East African cooking bananas EACBs to inform future decisions on a more targeted approach of increasing seed set and subsequently banana breeding efficiency. Matooke (AAA) and Mchare (AA) bananas are genetically distinct but belong to the same genetic complex, they referred to as EACBs. Seed set patterns in ‘Enzirabahima’ (AAA), ‘Mshale’ (AA) and ‘Nshonowa’ (AA) all with residual fertility were examined after hand pollination with a highly male fertile wild banana ‘Calcutta 4’ (AA). Results: Seed set in ‘Enzirabahima’ is predominant in distal hands. Mchare cultivars have a slightly more even distribution of seeds in their hands compared to ‘Enzirabahima.’ There is a gradual increase in seed set from proximal to distal hands with a slight drop in the last hand. This pattern is more definite in ‘Enzirabahima’ and ‘Mshale’ while ‘Nshonowa’ has a somewhat inconsistent pattern. There is also a drop in seed set per 100 fruits per hand from small to larger bunches. However, larger bunches have a higher pollination success compared to smaller bunches. They therefor set more seed on 100 fruits per hand and per bunch basis if bunches without seed are accounted for. Pollination success rate increases from smaller to larger bunches of EACBs. Seed set is biased toward the distal third part of fruits of examined EACBs as well tetraploid Matooke hybrid ‘401K-1’ (AAAA) and improved diploid ‘Zebrina’ GF (AA) that were used for comparison. In comparison, in the highly female fertile ‘Calcutta 4,’ seed set is along the entire length of the fruit. Conclusion: Seed set bias in the distal hands and distal end of fruits suggests a systematic mechanism rather than a random occurrence. It is expected that this information will provide a foundation for increased crossbreeding efficiency in bananas.
Seed Set Patterns in East African Highland Cooking Bananas Are Dependent on Weather before, during and after Pollination
(Horticulturae, 2021) Waniale, Allan; Swennen, Rony; Mukasa, Settumba B.; Tugume, Arthur K.; Kubiriba, Jerome; Tushemereirwe, Wilberforce K.; Batte, Michael; Brown, Allan; Tumuhimbise, Robooni
Seed set in banana is influenced by weather, yet the key weather attributes and the critical period of influence are unknown. We therefore investigated the influence of weather during floral development for a better perspective of seed set increase. Three East African highland cooking bananas (EAHBs) were pollinated with pollen fertile wild banana ‘Calcutta 40 . At full maturity, bunches were harvested, ripened, and seeds extracted from fruit pulp. Pearson’s correlation analysis was then conducted between seed set per 100 fruits per bunch and weather attributes at 15-day intervals from 105 days before pollination (DBP) to 120 days after pollination (DAP). Seed set was positively correlated with average temperature (P < 0.05–P < 0.001, r = 0.196–0.487) and negatively correlated with relative humidity (RH) (P < 0.05–P < 0.001, r = 􀀀0.158–􀀀0.438) between 75 DBP and the time of pollination. After pollination, average temperature was negatively correlated with seed set in ‘Mshale’ and ‘Nshonowa’ from 45 to 120 DAP (P < 0.05–P < 0.001, r = 􀀀0.213–􀀀0.340). Correlation coefficients were highest at 15 DBP for ‘Mshale’ and ‘Nshonowa’, whereas for ‘Enzirabahima’, the highest were at the time of pollination. Maximum temperature as revealed by principal component analysis at the time of pollination should be the main focus for seed set increase.
Seed Set Patterns in East African Highland Cooking Bananas Show Asymmetric Distribution in Bunches and Fruits
(Agronomy, 2021) Waniale, Allan; Swennen, Rony; Mukasa, Settumba B.; Tugume, Arthur K.; Kubiriba, Jerome; Tushemereirwe, Wilberforce K.; Batte, Michael; Brown, Allan; Tumuhimbise, Robooni
Low female fertility in bananas is the biggest hurdle for banana breeding. The aim of this study was to determine seed set patterns in East African Highland Cooking bananas (EAHBs) to inform future decisions on a more targeted approach of increasing seed set and subsequently banana-breeding efficiency. Matooke (AAA) and Mchare (AA) bananas are genetically distinct but belong to the same genetic complex, referred to as EAHBs. Seed set patterns in “Enzirabahima” (AAA), “Mshale” (AA), and “Nshonowa” (AA), all with residual fertility, were examined after hand pollination with a highly male fertile wild banana “Calcutta 4” (AA). Seed set in “Enzirabahima” is predominant in distal hands. Mchare cultivars have a slightly more even distribution of seeds in their hands compared to “Enzirabahima”. There is a gradual increase in seed set from proximal to distal hands with a slight drop in the last hand. This pattern is more definite in “Enzirabahima” and “Mshale”, while “Nshonowa” has a somewhat inconsistent pattern. There is also a drop in seed set per 100 fruits per hand from small to larger bunches. However, larger bunches have a higher pollination success compared to smaller bunches. They therefore set more seed on 100 fruits per hand and per bunch basis, if bunches without seed are accounted for. Pollination success rate increases from smaller to larger bunches of EAHBs. Seed set is biased toward the distal third part of fruits of examined EAHBs, as well as tetraploid Matooke hybrid “401K-1” (AAAA), and improved diploid “Zebrina” GF (AA) that were used for comparison. In comparison, in the highly female fertile “Calcutta 4”, seed set is along the entire length of the fruit. Seed set bias in the distal hands and distal end of fruits suggests a systematic mechanism rather than a random occurrence. It is expected that this information will provide a foundation for increased crossbreeding efficiency in bananas.
Use of timelapse photography to determine flower opening time and pattern in banana (Musa spp.) for efficient hand pollination
(Scientific Reports, 2021) Waniale, Allan; Swennen, Rony; Mukasa, Settumba B.; Tugume, Arthur K.; Kubiriba, Jerome; Tushemereirwe, Wilberforce K.; Uwimana, Brigitte; Gram, Gil; Amah, Delphine; Tumuhimbise, Robooni
Sterility and low seed set in bananas is the main challenge to their conventional genetic improvement. The first step to seed set in a banana breeding program depends on pollination at the right time to ensure effective fertilization. This study aimed at determining bract opening time (BOT) to enhance efficient pollination and seed set in bananas. A Nikon D810 digital camera was set-up to take pictures of growing banana inflorescences at five-minute intervals and time-lapse movies were developed at a speed of 30 frames per second to allow real-time monitoring of BOT. Genotypes studied included wild banana (1), Mchare (2), Matooke (4), Matooke hybrid (1), and plantain (1). Events of bract opening initiated by bract lift for female flowers (P < 0.01) started at 16:32 h and at 18:54 h for male flowers. Start of bract rolling was at 18:51 h among female flowers (P < 0.001) and 20:48 h for male flowers. Bracts ended rolling at 02:33 h and 01:16 h for female and flowers respectively (P < 0.05). Total time of bract opening (from lift to end of rolling) for female flowers was significantly longer than that of male flowers (P < 0.001). On average, the number of bracts subtending female flowers opening increased from one on the first day, to between one and four on the fourth day. The number regressed to one bract on day eight before start of opening of bracts subtending male flowers. There was a longer opening interval between bracts subtending female and male flowers constituting spatial and temporal separation. Bract rolling increased from partial to complete rolling from proximal to the distal end of the inflorescence among female flower. On the other hand, bracts subtending male flowers completely rolled. Differences in BOT of genotypes with the same reference time of assessment may be partly responsible for variable fertility. Hand pollination time between 07:00 and 10:00 h is slightly late thus an early feasible time should be tried.

Browsing by Author "Swennen, Rony"

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