A new dwarf banana variety developed in India has been released with traits aimed at reducing lodging risk and shortening the production cycle. The variety, known as Kaveri Vaaman, has been developed by the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre. According to a media statement, "this is the first mutant banana variety in India, and also the first fruit crop developed and released by BARC."
The variety is formally named Trombay Banana Mutant-9. It is derived from the Grande Naine cultivar through mutation breeding. BARC states that the release expands its breeding programme, which has produced 72 improved crop varieties.
BARC reports that the main trait of Kaveri Vaaman is its short stature. The organisation states that this height reduction increases resistance to lodging, which includes bending or breaking of stems. Lodging is reported as a recurring issue for tall banana plants exposed to strong coastal winds. Conventional production often uses bamboo or wooden poles to prevent lodging, but BARC notes that "as the new variety is dwarf and lodging-resistant, props are not essential, leading to a significant reduction in the input cost."
The maturity period is described as one and a half months shorter than the parent, resulting in an earlier harvest. The release notes that the fruit maintains the typical organoleptic characteristics of Grande Naine. The variety is suited to high-density planting and terrace systems and is described as usable in both commercial and household cultivation.
Ajit Kumar Mohanty from the Department of Atomic Energy said the release of TBM-9 is "a major step in revolutionising the improvement of horticultural crops in India through the use of ionising radiation".
The development of Kaveri Vaaman involved collaboration with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research and the National Research Centre for Banana in Tamil Nadu. The variety was obtained by mutagenising Grande Naine with gamma radiation. BARC states that TBM-9 was selected after several years of screening and field trials.
Vivek Bhasin, director at BARC, said the development reflects the "expansion of BARC's mutation breeding programme from traditional crops to fruits and other vegetatively propagated plants".
Source: Hindustan Times
