THE ADVANCEMENT OF RESEARCH ON BANANA GERMPLASM RESOURCES IN CHINA

Y.L. Wu, G.J. Yi, B.Z. Huang, Y.R. Wei, C.Y. Li, C.H. Hu, Y.H. Huang
Banana (Musa spp.) is one of the most important tropical and sub-tropical fruits in China. The paper reviews literature on the origin and distribution, collection and conservation, classification and identification, selection and breeding of banana germplasm resources. China is one of centres of origin and banana has been cultivated in China for more than 2000 years. A large number of cultivars exist due to long period of natural and artificial selection. Currently, The National Fruit Tree Germplasm – Guangzhou Banana Nursery holds more than 300 accessions of wild and cultivated banana germplasm. Although cytological observations, isozyme analysis and DNA markers have been used to study genetic diversity of banana, the most important classification system is still the one based on morphological traits. As Chinese banana production is now increasingly threatened by a number of pests and diseases, there is an urgent need to breed and select for good-quality and disease- resistant banana cultivars.
Wu, Y.L., Yi, G.J., Huang, B.Z., Wei, Y.R., Li, C.Y., Hu, C.H. and Huang, Y.H. (2013). THE ADVANCEMENT OF RESEARCH ON BANANA GERMPLASM RESOURCES IN CHINA. Acta Hortic. 975, 147-153
DOI: 10.17660/ActaHortic.2013.975.15
https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2013.975.15
breeding, genetic diversity, Musa spp., plant genetic resources
English

Acta Horticulturae