Fujian Selected Dwarf Banana

Fujian Selected Dwarf Banana

　　Variety name: Fujian Selected Dwarf Banana

　　Breeding institution: College of Horticulture, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Zhangzhou Wanguai Agricultural Development Co., Ltd.

　　Variety origin: Bred in 2004 from a sport mutant plant of 'Tianbao Dwarf Banana' at Wanguai Banana Base in Mixi Village, Tianbao Town, Xiangcheng District, Zhangzhou City

　　Characteristics: This variety features a relatively short plant stature, with plant height between 183–195 cm and thick stems, 67–72 cm in circumference. The petiole grooves are open and symmetrical, coated with white powder, and the leaves are broad and relatively thick, with rounded tips. In Xiangcheng District, when tissue-cultured seedlings are planted in March, flowering occurs from September to October, with the bracts exhibiting a purplish-red exterior marked with orange stripes. Harvest takes place in December, with the entire growth cycle lasting 320–390 days. Typically, each bunch yields 6–8 hands, and each hand contains 16–22 fingers, arranged neatly. The fruit fingers measure 19.5–22.0 cm in length and weigh 114.0–136.0 grams, with a slight curve. When fully ripe, the peel turns golden yellow, the flesh is light yellow and coreless, with fine texture, sweet taste, and strong aroma. The edible rate is 68.6%–71.2%. It shows slightly better cold tolerance than Tianbao Banana. It is relatively high-yielding. According to testing by the Zhangzhou Agricultural Inspection and Monitoring Center: soluble solids content is 22.5%, total soluble sugar is 14.48%, titratable acid is 0.42%, and vitamin C is 9.04 mg/100g. Field surveys by the Xiangcheng District Plant Protection and Quarantine Station indicate that main pests and diseases include bunchy top disease, leaf spot, flower thrips, and red spider mites, with incidence similar to that of 'Tianbao Dwarf Banana'.

　　Yield performance: Through multi-location trials in Zhangzhou and other areas over several years, average yield is 18.7–19.5 kg per plant, equivalent to 2,760–3,030 kg per mu.

　　Key cultivation techniques: Select sites with loose soil, fertile land, and convenient irrigation and drainage for planting; plant spacing should be 2 m × 2.2 m, with 140–160 plants per mu; promote balanced fertilization, applying more organic fertilizer while using inorganic fertilizer appropriately, adhering to the fertilization principle of “one sufficient, two light, two heavy, control in the middle”; retain 7–8 hands per bunch, keep 22–25 fingers on the first hand, and 16–22 fingers on the others; time the flower bud removal properly, bagging about 7–10 days after bud removal; harvest at the appropriate time; pay attention to prevention and control of bunchy top disease, leaf spot, flower thrips, red spider mites, and other pests and diseases.

　　Provincial Crop Variety Approval Committee appraisal opinion: Fujian Selected Dwarf Banana is an AAA-type banana variety. When grown in Xiangcheng District, the full growth cycle is 320–390 days; it is high-yielding; the flesh is light yellow, coreless, fine-textured, sweet, aromatic, and slightly more cold-resistant than Tianbao Banana; suitable for cultivation in southern Fujian’s banana-growing regions. Cultivation should include timely flower bud removal and bagging, with attention to preventing bunchy top disease, leaf spot, flower thrips, and red spider mites. Upon review, it complies with the regulations for crop variety approval (recognition) in Fujian Province and is hereby approved.