Understanding trait preferences of different actors in the banana value chain may facilitate the selection and adoption of new cultivars. We systematically reviewed the scholarly and gray literature on banana trait preferences, with specific attention to studies that document gender-differentiated...

Banana is one of the most important subtropical crops. Its genetic system is relatively unknown and complicated by inter- and intra-specific hybridization, heterozygosity, and polyploidy. Thus molecular markers have been widely used among Musa germplasm to detect genetic variation and...

Morphological traits are commonly used for characterizing plant genetic resources. Germplasm characterization should be based on distinctly identifiable, stable and heritable traits that are expressed consistently and are easy to distinguish by the human eye. Characterization and documentation of a ...

These proceedings contain 29 papers on the impact of Mycosphaerella leaf spot disease of banana, population biology and epidemiology of Mycosphaerella, host-pathogen interactions genetic improvement of bananas and integrated control of the pathogen.

Background: An understanding of farmers' preferences of new banana cultivars and their characteristics is critical for developing and selecting cultivars that meet consumer needs. Therefore, phenotypic selection in a genetically variable population remains an important aspect of plant breeding....

Background: Heterobeltiosis is the phenomenon when the hybrid's performance is superior to its best performing parent. Banana (Musa spp. AAA) breeding is a tedious, time-consuming process, taking up to two decades to develop a consumer acceptable hybrid. Exploiting heterobeltiosis in banana...

Black sigatoka (Mycosphaerella fijiensis) causes yield losses of 30 to 50% in banana and plantain. The cultivation of resistant cultivars is the most appropriate intervention to control this fungal leaf spot disease in Africa. The short-term approach of the International Institute of Tropical...

Cross-breeding of banana and plantain brings new challenges to the genetic improvement of crops due to the ploidy and high sterility of most popular cultivars. This article provides an overview of the current status of banana and plantain breeding. It also provides details on the approaches used...

Tanzania has been growing avocado for decades. A wide variability of the avocado germplasm has been found, and the crop is largely contributing to the earnings of the farmers, traders, and the government, but its genetic diversity is scantly investigated. With the purpose of comparing morphological ...

East African highland bananas (Musa spp. AAA group) are an important staple in the Great Lakes region of East Africa. Their production has declined due to pests and diseases. Breeding for host plant resistance is a sustainable option for addressing this challenge. Understanding the relationships...