Diversity in banana and plantain cultivars available in coastal ecosystem and performance of plantain (Musa paradisiaca) genotypes

A study on assessment of diversity in banana and plantain cultivars available in coastal salt ecosystem of Bangladesh and performance of selected plantain genotypes was accomplished during July 2022 to May 2023 in in situ and ex situ conservation sites. A survey was done according to a questionnaire to assess the plant diversity and crop husbandry of banana and plantain. Physical properties of plantain fruits were determined in the postharvest lab of the Dept. of Horticulture, Patuakhali Science and Technology University (PSTU), Dumki, Patuakhali. In the study area for survey, three promising germplasm of plantain, viz. MP01, MP02 and MP03 were considered for performance study to find out suitable and promising germplasm in coastal ecosystem. About diversity, it was found that the relative prevalence of table banana, plantain or green banana and seeded banana were 57.35%, 17.37% and 25.28% respectively. The richness of banana cultivars were ‘Kathali kola’ (32.41%) > seeded banana (25.28%) > ‘Sabri kola’ (19.14%) > green banana (17.37%) > and ‘Amritsagor’ (5.80%) where the average dominance rank at ‘Kalapara’ upazila, Patuakhali was 1.25, 1.83, 3.33, 3.58, and 5.0 respectively. The highest number of banana plants was found at ‘Mithagonj’ union (1636) followed by ‘Latachapli’ union (1497) and Tiyakhali union (1417). The lowest number of plants was counted at ‘Chakamuiya’ union (1072). The incedence of panama disease, sigatoka and the attack of caterpillar were 32%, 24% and 9% respectively. In case of agronomic performance of plantain germplasm, the lowest time to bunch maturity from flowering (85.82 days) was found in MP02 and the shortest crop duration (341 days) was observed in germplasm MP03. Time to bunch maturity (92.41 days) and crop duration (365 days) were maximum in MP01. The maximum number of hands per bunch (8), number of fingers/hand (17), hand weight (2.27 kg) and total hand weight per plant (17.76) were given by MP01. MP03 exhibited the lowest performance in all these respects. Yield per plant (18 kg) and per hectare (45.00 tons) were highest in MP01 and lowest in MP03 (9.41 kg/plot and 22.50 t/ha). Individual fruit weight (155 g) was maximum in MP02 and minimum in MP03 (126.5 g). MP01 had the highest pulp to peel ratio (2.33) as well as flesh content or edible portion (70%). Considering morpho-physical parameters like hands/bunch, number of fingers/hands, yield and pulp to peel ratio indicated MP01 demonstrated superior adaptability and yield potential in the coastal saline ecosystem, making it a promising candidate for cultivation and further improvement in Bangladesh. Bangladesh J. Agri. 2026, 51(1):145-156