ASSESSMENT OF ORNAMENTAL BANANA ACCESSIONS FOR FLORAL ATTRIBUTES

The present investigation focussed on assessment of fifteen ornamental banana accessions Acc.1 (R1-8), Acc.2 (R1-11), Acc.3 (R1-76), Acc.4 (R2-9), Acc.5 (R2-52), Acc.6 (R2-92), Acc.7 (MR1-4), Acc.8 (MR2-3), Acc.9 (MR2-7), Acc.10 (SR5-15), Acc.11 (SR7-7), Acc.12 (SR8-9), Acc.13 (SR9-3), Acc.14 (Musa laterita) and Acc.15 (Musa ornata) for floral attributes was conducted at College of Horticulture, Dr.Y.S.R. Horticultural University Venkataramannagudem during 2023-24.All the accessions exhibited significant variation in terms of various floral attributes.Statistical analysis of data revealed that days taken for emergence of inflorescence recorded minimum in Acc.11 (SR7-7) that was found to be at par with Acc.14 (Musa laterita), Acc.10 (SR5-15), Acc.2 (R1-11) and Acc.7 (MR1-4) and in contrast, maximum was recorded in Acc.13 (SR9-3).Pseudo stem height at emergence of inflorescence was recorded minimum in Acc.14 (Musa laterita) and was at par with Acc.3 (R1-76), Acc.9 (MR2-7), Acc.10 (SR5-15), Acc.11 (SR7-7), Acc.12 (SR8-9) and Acc.15 (Musa ornata).Longest peduncle length was recorded in Acc.6 (R2-92) and shortest in Acc.12 (SR8-9).Peduncle diameter was found maximum in Acc.2 (R1-11) and was found to be at par with Acc.4 (R2-9) while minimum in Acc.13 (SR9-3).Longest rachis was recorded in Acc.2 (R1-11) that was found to be at par with Acc.4 (R2-9) and shortest was recorded in Acc.12 (SR8-9).Number of bracts was recorded maximum in Acc.7 (MR1-4) and minimum was recorded in Acc.12 (SR8-9).The longevity of bract was highest in Acc.14 (Musa laterita) and lowest in Acc.13 (SR9-3).Maximum bract anthocyanin content was recorded in Acc.7 (MR1-4) that was found to be at par with Acc.6 (R2-92) and Acc.9 (MR2-7).