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E3 Journal of Agricultural Research and Development

E3 Journal of Agricultural Research and Development Vol. 2 (3) pp. 074-09, October 2012; © E3 Journals; ISSN 2276-9897

Yield evaluation of plantain and banana landraces and hybrids in humid agro ecological zone of Nigeria

A.A. Shaibu1 * , E.A. Maji1 , M.N. Ogburia2
1 National Cereals Research Institute Badeggi, P.M.B. 8, Bida, Niger State, Nigeria
2 Department of Crop Science, Rivers State University of Science and Technology, P.M.B. 5080, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
*Corresponding Author E-mail: a.shaibu@hotmail.com
Accepted 10 August 2012

Abstract

Plantain and banana landraces are faced with yield decline due to diseases and pest pressure in the study area. Field studies was conducted with the aim to evaluate and select the best performing cultivar with high bunch yield in farmers production system in the humid agro ecological zone of Nigeria. The studies were carried out during the rainy seasons in humid forest agro ecological zone of Nigeria, known to be centre of plantain and banana diversification. Experimental layout was designed in a randomized complete block (RCBD) with thirty six treatments; each replicated two times. The analysis of variance test of significance showed that bunch yield per producing plant was highly variable and was statistically significant across genotypes tested and within replicates, although some variable measured within replication were not significantly different. A study like this is a necessary step to sustain increased production and a pre requisite for routinely identifying best performing genotypes in plantain and banana growing areas. The hybrids appear to be more suitable for the growing system in the study area as most of the hybrids perform excellently well as compared to the landraces. FHIA 21, SH 3436-9 sv and SH 3640 had the highest bunch yield compared to other hybrids and the landraces. This investigation has determined the best yield performance genotypes and the components of yield in the thirty six genotypes investigated. The best hybrids can be promoted for farmers’ adoption in view of the fact that they are best suitable for humid agro ecological zones of Nigeria. This result will be of major impact on plantain production in Nigeria if there is increase in awareness and adoption of these hybrids with consistent high yield performance. Therefore, a further investigation to validate the result over three years or more is required.

Keywords: Hybrids, Landraces, humid, agro ecological zones, plantain and banana, yield.

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