Seed Set Patterns in East African Cooking Bananas are Asymmetric in Bunches and Fruits
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Date
2020
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Research Square
Abstract
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.
Description
Keywords
Female fertility, Banana breeding, Matooke and Mchare pollination, Bunch size, Pollination success
Citation
Waniale, A., Mukasa, S. B., Tugume, A. K., Tumuhimbise, R., Kubiriba, J., Tushemereirwe, W. K., ... & Swennen, R. (2020). Seed set patterns in East African Cooking Bananas are asymmetric in bunches and fruits. https://orcid.org/0000-0002- 2870-7820