Investigations on Phenological Responses to Determine Banana Fruit Production Potential in the Coastal Region of Alabama, USA

Abstract

Bananas have wide adaptability but environmental conditions will affect growth responses and plant vigour. The present study was initiated to determine the potential for banana fruit production in the coastal region of Alabama by comparing phenological parameter responses as a measure of plant vigour of five medium height cultivars: ‘Cardaba’, ‘Gold Finger’, ‘Ice Cream’, ‘Raja Puri’, and ‘Veinte Cohol’. At 150 days after planting (DAP), ‘Viente Cohol’ and ‘Ice Cream’ produced significantly more leaves (38.8 and 38.3 leaves/plant, respectively) than ‘Cardaba’ and ‘Raja Puri’. At 150 DAP, ‘Cardaba’ and ‘Ice Cream’ had a higher number of leaves present (NLP) than ‘Raja Puri’ indicating the plant’s ability to maintain more leaves at a given time for the accumulation of dry matter. ‘Gold Finger’ exhibited the lowest height to circumference ratio value (HCR) of 3.28, indicating a stronger pseudostem to withstand lodging due to high winds or heavy crop load. ‘Ice Cream’ and ‘Gold Finger’ exhibited the greatest plant vigour and/or pseudostem strength overall and potential for fruit crop production in the region.