NARO BANANA HYBRIDS
As one of the research arms of NARO, the National Banana Research Programme (NBRP) is mandated to generate and promote improved banana varieties and practices that enhances banana productivity and utilization. The program was created with aim to generate and produce high yielding, pest and disease resistant banana varieties that are acceptable to end-users and developing agronomic practices that improve productivity of the crop.
NARO has bred and released seven banana (matooke) hybrids since 1990’s. These varieties (hybrids) address key challenges faced by banana farmers in Uganda such as the short plantation life cycle of about 4 years as opposed to more than 20 years and low yields. The short plantation life cycle is attributed mainly the pests and diseases affecting bananas whereas, low yields are attributed to inferior local varieties, abiotic stresses (declining soil fertility, climate change and poor agronomic practises) and biotic stresses (pests and diseases).
All the released improved banana varieties/hybrids are resistant to black sigatoka, a common disease that causes drying of leaves and are less affected by the most common pests of bananas such as the banana weevil that destroys the underground corm and banana nematodes that destroy the banana roots compared to the local varieties.
Furthermore, these improved banana varieties/ banana hybrids yield almost fourfold compared to the local varieties grown under similar growth conditions and their taste is comparable to the local varieties.
These hybrids include:-
KABANA 6H (M9) locally named as Kiwangaazi was released in 2010. It is resistant to banana weevils, Sigatoka and nematodes. It is long lasting i.e., mat disappearance is over 5 years.
Bunch Weight/size: 57.7 Kgs
Yields: 60tons/ha/year
Best for: Food
Acceptability level: 58.3%
Economic Return: 12,982,500
Kabana 7H (M2)
KABANA 7H was released in 2010. It has tolerance to the banana weevils (that reduce plantation longevity) and nematodes (invisible worms that cause root rooting and toppling), tolerant to black sigatoka. It has an early maturing period (starts flowering after 9 months and fruit fills in 3 months).
Bunch Weight/size: 33.3 Kilograms
Yields: 30tons/ha/yr
Best for: Food
Acceptability level: 52%
Economic Return: 7,492,000
NAROBan 1 was released in 2017 with a yielding capacity of up to 54.9 tons/ha/year. It is highly resistant to black Sigatoka (a common disease that causes drying of leaves), tolerant to the banana weevils and nematodes, soft, tasty, aromatic, and near-yellow food colour.
Maturity period: 140 days
Bunch weight: 61kgs
Best for: Food
Acceptability ratio: 83%
Economic Return: 13,725,000
NAROBan 2 was released in 2017, with a yielding capacity of up to 60.3 tons/ha/year. It is highly resistant to black Sigatoka, tolerant to the banana weevils and nematodes, soft, tasty, aromatic, and near-yellow food colour.
Maturity: 130 days
Bunch Weight: 50 kgs
Best for: Food
Food acceptability ratio: 81.6%
Economic Return: 15,075,000
NAROBan 3 - released in 2017 with a yield capacity of up to 63.9ton/ha/year. It is highly resistant to black Sigatoka, resistant to the banana weevils and nematodes, soft, tasty, aromatic, and near-yellow food color.
Matures in 142 days
Bunch size/weight of 71kgs.
Best for: Food
Economic Return: 15,975,000
NAROBan 4 - released in 2017, with a yielding capacity of 66.8 tons/ha/year. It is highly resistant to black Sigatoka, resistant to the banana weevils and nematodes. It is soft, tasty, aromatic, and near-yellow food color.
Matures in 126 days and has a bunch size/weight of 83 Kgs .
Best for: Food
Acceptability level: 85%
Economic Return: 16,717,500
NAROBan 5 - released in 2018 with a yield capacity of 54.5 tons/ha/year. It is resistant to black Sigatoka, resistant to the banana weevils and nematodes, soft, tasty, aromatic, and near-yellow food color.
Has a bunch weight of 60.5kilogram
Average finger length of 13cm.
Its acceptability ration is at 95% .
Economic return: 13,612,500
Below are the attributes of each banana/matooke hybrid.
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