Seed Set Patterns in East African Highland Cooking Bananas Show Asymmetric Distribution in Bunches and Fruits
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Date
2021
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Agronomy
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 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.
Description
Keywords
Female fertility, Banana breeding, Matooke and Mchare pollination, Bunch size, Pollination success
Citation
Waniale, A.; Swennen, R.; Mukasa, S.B.; Tugume, A.K.; Kubiriba, J.; Tushemereirwe,W.K.; Batte, M.; Brown, A.; Tumuhimbise, R. Seed Set Patterns in East African Highland Cooking Bananas Show Asymmetric Distribution in Bunches and Fruits. Agronomy 2021, 11, 763. https://doi.org/10.3390/ agronomy11040763