Enhancing Banana (Musa acuminata) breeding efficiency: genotype pollen performance and the influence of irrigation and Potassium on seed set and viability
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Nelson Mandela Institution of Science and Technology
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Banana (Musa spp.) is a crucial staple food for over 30 million people in Tanzania. Mchare is significant globally as it is one of the ancestors of popular dessert bananas like Cavendish and Gros Michel. However, Mchare is highly susceptible to all potential banana pathogens that cause significant yield losses and threaten food and income security. Developing resistant banana varieties through crossbreeding is essential, with researchers identifying wild banana types as potential sources of resistance. A major challenge in this process is low seed production, which this study aims to address by exploring the effects of pollen quantity, supplemental irrigation, and potassium fertilization on seed set and viability in Mchare banana breeding. The study was conducted at the Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology (NM-AIST), Tengeru campus, and the World Vegetable Centre in Arusha. Fourteen banana genotypes were analysed for pollen production and viability, selecting the best male and female candidates for crossbreeding under irrigation and rainfed conditions with varying levels of potassium fertilization 0, 150, 300 and 500 g K/mat/year (0, 375, 750 and 1250 kg K/ha/year). Data analysis was performed using the GenStat 21st version. The results showed that Calcutta 4 and Borneo (both wild types) and Huti-White (Mchare sub-group, a landrace) exhibited high pollen production. Calcutta 4 and Borneo produced 31 000 pollen grains per anther, while Huti-White produced 8120 pollen grains per anther. Pollen viability was 74.2% for Calcutta 4 and Borneo and 59.3% for Huti-White, indicating their potential as suitable male parents for breeding programs. It was found that higher temperatures of 25 to 27°C (the temperature range was 18 to 29°C), rainfall 250 to 300 mm per month, and irrigation improved pollen quantity and viability, with the best pollination occurring between 6:00 AM and 10:00 AM. Supplemental irrigation and potassium levels of 300-500 g K/mat/year (750 and 1250 kg K/ha/year) positively influenced seed viability. The study concludes that supplemental irrigation and potassium application are critical for improving pollen and seed quality, recommending 300 g K/mat/year (705 kg K/ha/year) for optimal results as it give significant result like 500 g K/mat/year (1250 kg K/ha/year) so for proper resources immobilization 300 gK/mat/year (705 kg K/ha/year) is recommended. Further research is needed to understand factors affecting pollen viability and seed production, as well as to explore more male parent varieties with superior pollen traits for enhancing breeding success.
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bananas, musa acuminata, breeding, genotypes