Performance of banana genotypes in Rio Branco, Acre, Brazil

Abstract

The characterization and evaluation of banana genotypes (Musa spp.) is an important step both for breeding programs and for indication to farmers. Thus, the objective of this work was to evaluate banana genotypes in Rio Branco - Acre, aiming at their incorporation into the region ‘s production systems. The experiment was carried out in a randomized complete block design in a subdivided plots scheme with five replicates and four plants per plot. The treatments of the plots were the three production cycles, and the subplots were the nineteen banana genotypes. We evaluated plant’s height; perimeter of the pseudostem base; number of active leaves at the inflorescence and harvesting stage; the period from planting until flowering, the period from flowering until harvest and period from planting until harvest; the mass of the bunch, the total number of fruits per bunch; the number of pieces; productivity. The genotypes Thap Maeo, FHIA-02, FHIA-18, and Maravilha, present the best agronomic performance and have the potential to be incorporated into the banana production system in the edaphoclimatic conditions of the Rio Branco, Acre region.