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Abstract

Overall genetic reversion of "Regular Maricongo' and 'Dwarf Plantain' using tissue-cultured plantlets was 29% both in the 1st ratoon and plant crop. Of this percentage the 'Regular Maricongo (Horn) Plantain' showed a 21% reversion to the 'Congo' or 'Tall French Plantain.' Variability in the dwarf clones was greater with J8% reversion to the 'Dwarf French'('Plátano congo enano'). The latter cultivar is unique to this area since there are no reports of its widespread occurrence in the Caribbean so far. The variant 'Dwarf French' type gave a yield of 46 tons/ha or 226,460 fruits/ha with an average of 130 fingers and 9 hands per fruit bunch. The 'Regular Maricongo' or 'Horn Plantain' yielded 14.4 tons/ha or about 61,841 fruits/ha. The Dwarf French types were the shortest plants (1.95 m) and had the thickest pseudostems (19.05 cm diam,). However, both French types, Tall' and 'Dwarf apparently needed more days to flower and for maturity of bunch. The mutant 'Dwarf French Plantain,' an apparently new cultivar produced in this trial, seems to be well adapted to local conditions. Further ratoon crops are being closely monitored for yield, variability and agronomic characteristics.

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