ASSESSMENT OF BANANA (MUSA X PARADISIACA) CLONES OF AAB GROUP BASED ON STABILITY AND ADAPTATION

An experiment was conducted during 1982-91 to assess 27 banana (Musa x paradisiaca L.) clones of AAB group based on their stability and adapt ation. The clones represented 4 different geographic locations, viz ea stern Australia, north-east India, south India and Zanzibar. Overall p erformance was judged on the basis of yield attributes like weight of bunch, number of hands, number of fingers: quality attributes like tot al soluble solids; and reactions towards the yield-limiting biotic str esses like rhizome weevil (Cosmopolities sordidus Germer.), banana nem atode (Radopholus similis Cobb.) and sigatoka leaf-spot (Mycosphaerell a musicola Leach ex Mulder). Among the 27 clones, 'Mysore Poovan' and 'Malaikali' proved the most established and adapted ones. Among the ot hers, 'Chinali', 'Martaban', 'Krishnavazhai', 'Kodappanillakunnan', 'D hudsagar' and 'Mottapoovan' were found more stable. In the plantain su bgroup, 'Mysore Ethan', 'Nendran' and 'Myndoli' were superior to other s. 'Mysore Poovan' was also found resistant to rhizome weevil. Clones 'Thiruvananthapuram', 'Mysore Ethan' and 'Padalimoongil' showed modera te multiple resistance equally to rhizome weevil, banana nematode and sigatoka leaf-spot.