Chromosome Studies and Karyotype Analysis of some Triploid Banana (Musa Species) Cultivars of AAA Genomic Group

Bananas are the highly evolved, oldest fruits known to mankind. The Cavendish group cultivars are popular commercial varieties. AAA genomic group cultivars are said to have evolved from the wild AA Musa acuminata species by natural hybridization and polyploidization and these vigorous triploids were selected by man for cultivation. Basic cytological studies on banana are comparatively few due to the plant's complex nature. In this report, karyo-morphological studies on five AAA Cavendish group cultivars i.e. Robusta, Dwarf Cavendish, Grand Naine, Gros Michel and Red banana are reported. All the five cultivars had similar karyotype, except cv. Robusta. Total chromosome length was highest in Red banana and lowest in cv. Gros Michel.