Banana is a major fruit crop of Gujarat state making
up 17% of the total area under fruit crops and accounts for
about 53% of the total fruit production in the state (Anon.,
2007). Many varieties of banana are under cultivation in
this region but no systematic studies have been conducted
to screen them for high yield. Therefore, the present study
was undertaken to evaluate improved cultivars of banana
for their suitability for cultivation in Saurashtra region of
Gujarat.

The present investigation was undertaken during
the period 2000-06 at the Lalbagh Fruit Research Station,
Department of Horticulture, Junagadh Agricultural
University, Junagadh. Six varieties of banana viz., Basrai,
Harichal, Robusta, Gros Michel, Gandevi Selection and
Lacatan were evaluated in a randomized block design with
three replications at a spacing of 1.8 x 1.8 m. Plants were
grown with uniform cultural practices. Five plants of each
variety in each replication were used for recording data on
growth characters, duration of the crop, yield and quality

Performance of banana cultivars in Gujarat

D.V. Delvadia, T.R. Ahlawat, R.S. Chovatia and A.V. Barad
Department of Horticulture

Junagadh Agricultural University, Junagadh-362 001, India
E-mail: tahlawat@jau.in

ABSTRACT

Field experiments were conducted for three years to assess the performance and select the cultivar ideally suited to
Saurashtra region in Gujarat. The cultivars evaluated were Basrai, Harichal, Robusta, Gros Michel, Gandevi Selection
and Lacatan. Of these, Gandevi Selection proved superior, with regard to growth parameters, yield characters and its
attributes. It also yielded the highest benefit cost ratio.

Key words: Evaluation, banana, cultivars, growth, yield

parameters and statistically analyzed. The TSS was
estimated using a hand refractometer and values were
expressed in oBrix.

The pooled analyses of data of three season’s trials
are presented in Table 1, 2 and 3. Significant differences
were observed among the different varieties for all
characters studied except fruit girth. Significant variation
in growth and yield of banana varieties was reported earlier
by Singh et al (1996). The data on growth, flowering and
maturity characters of different varieties of banana are given
in Table 1. The results revealed that the maximum plant
height (2.08 m) was recorded in Gandevi Selection which
was on par with Gros Michel (2.07 m) while, the lowest
plant height (1.71 m) was recorded in Basrai. Similarly,
the highest stem girth (81.98 cm) was registered in Gandevi
Selection which was again at par with Gros Michel (79.06
cm). The lowest stem girth (54.07 cm) was observed in
Lacatan. Number of leaves per plant ranged from 24.43 in
Gandevi Selection to 20.73 in Lacatan. Lacatan also

Table 1. Growth, flowering and maturity characters of different varieties of banana

Varieties Plant height (m) Stem girth (cm) No. of leaves/plant Days to flowering Days to maturity
Basrai 1.71 65.04 20.74 307.25 398.00
Harichal 1.77 69.18 21.02 327.00 421.75
Robusta 1.90 71.56 21.72 303.08 404.92
Gros Michel 2.07 79.06 22.83 336.42 443.08
Gandevi Sel. 2.08 81.98 24.43 395.00 522.92
Lacatan 1.90 54.07 20.73 300.83 388.58
CD (P=0.05) 0.12 4.99 1.70 4.26 5.93
CV % 4.83 6.42 5.63 7.68 4.78
Y x T NS NS NS N S NS

NS: Non-Significant

Short communication

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Vol. 3 (2): 166-168, 2008



167

registered minimum number of days to flowering (300.83)
and days to maturity (388.58). At the other end of the
spectrum, Gandevi Selection recorded the highest number
of days to flowering (395) and days to maturity (522.92).

Evaluation of varieties for yield parameters (Table
2) revealed that Gandevi Selection recorded the highest yield
(72.53 t/ha), heaviest bunch weight (23.50 kg), maximum
number of hands (10.89 per bunch) and number of fingers
(178.66 per bunch). The higher fruit yield in Gandevi
Selection was due to heavier bunch weight and more number
of hands and fingers. These results are in general agreement
with earlier findings. Vijayaraghavakumar et al (1984)
reported that number of fingers influenced the yield of
banana directly. Kurian et al (1985) reported a strong positive

correlation of fruit yield with number of hands, number of
fingers, number of leaves per plant, stem girth and total
duration of the crop. On the contrary, Basrai recorded the
lowest yield (42.25 t/ha), bunch weight (13.04 kg) and
minimum number of fingers (85.67/bunch) as compared to
other varieties.

Studies on fruit characters (Table 3) indicated that
Robusta recorded the highest fruit weight (138.33 g) and
length of fruit (21.67 cm) while, Gandevi Selection recorded
the lowest fruit weight (117.88 g) and fruit length (18.59
cm). Fruit girth was found non-significant.

Evaluation of varieties for quality characters
revealed maximum pulp to peel ratio and TSS (3.46 and
19.15%) in Gros Michel (Table 3). Pulp to peel ratio was
the least (2.99) in Robusta and TSS was lowest in Harichal.
The minimum (15.31%) weight loss due to ripening was
observed in Basrai and the maximum (17.35%) was
observed in Gros Michel.

The economics of cultivation under different
varieties indicated that Gandevi Selection recorded the
highest yield (72.53 t/ha) with the cost of cultivation of
Rs.78,693/ha. The net income was Rs.1,38,897/ha, with a
BCR of 1:2.77 which was the highest amongst all the
varieties (Table 4).

Table 2.  Performance of different varieties of banana with respect
to fruit yield and its attributes

Varieties Yield Weight of No. of hands No. of fingers
(ton/ha) bunch (kg) /bunch /bunch

Basrai 40.20 13.04 7.77 85.67
Harichal 49.44 16.02 8.22 116.08
Robusta 46.85 15.18 7.62 104.68
Gros Michel 59.64 19.28 8.58 130.17
Gandevi Sel. 72.53 23.50 10.89 178.66
Lacatan 46.29 15.00 7.73 112.24
C D (P=0.05) 6.69 2.176 0.581 10.996
CV % 6.86 6.673 8.688 5.364
Y x T N.S. NS N. S. N.S.

NS: Non-Significant

Table 3.  Fruit and quality characters of different varieties of banana

Varieties Av. Fruit Fruit length Fruit girth Weight loss Pulp skin ratio TSS
 weight(g)  (cm) (cm) due to ripening (%) (%)

Basrai 133.83 20.47 13.05 15.31 3.13 18.78
Harichal 124.10 18.82 12.94 16.11 3.08 18.48
Robusta 138.33 21.67 13.05 15.96 2.99 19.01
Gros Michel 128.73 20.14 13.28 17.35 3.46 19.15
Gandevi Sel. 117.88 18.59 12.45 15.58 3.21 18.74
Lacatan 128.44 20.71 13.36 16.48 3.14 18.54
CD (P=0.05) 7.54 0.77 N. S. N.S. 0.21 0.42
CV % 4.48 4.66 4.35 2.45 3.80 2.17
Y x T NS NS NS NS NS NS

NS: Non-Significant

Table 4. Economics of different varieties of Banana

Sl. No Varieties Yield of Banana(t/ha) Total cost(Rs./ha) Gross income(Rs/ha) Net income(Rs/ha) CBR
1. Basrai 42.25 74064 126750 52686 1:1.71
2. Harichal 49.44 74064 148320 74256 1:2.00
3. Robusta 46.86 74064 140580 66516 1:1.90
4. Gros Michel 59.46 74064 178380 104316 1:2.41
5. Gandevi Sel. 72.53 78693 217590 138897 1:2.77
6. Lacatan 46.30 74064 138900 64836 1:1.88
* The cost of planting materials, labour, fertilizers, irrigation, cultivation and other
   expenditure was considered to be Rs.24/- plant
* The market price of banana fruits was considered as Rs.3000/ton

Performance of banana cultivars in Gujarat

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Vol. 3 (2): 166-168, 2008



168

(MS Received 14 March 2008, Revised 17 November 2008)

Based on trials conducted over a period of three
years, it could be inferred that Gandevi Selection was
superior to the other varieties in terms growth characters,
fruit yield and associated traits. Gandevi Selection also
recorded the highest benefit cost ratio and therefore may
be recommended for cultivation in the Saurashtra region of
Gujarat.

REFERENCES

Anonymous. 2007. District-wise area and production of
horticultural crops in Gujarat state. Directorate of

Horticulture, Gujarat state, Gandhinagar
Kurian, T.M., Prabhakaran, P.V. and Varkey, P.A. 1985.

Path coefficient analysis in Nendran variety of
banana. South Ind. Hort., 33:1-5

Singh, D.B., Sharma, T.V.R.S. and Suryanarayana, M.A.
1996. Evaluation of banana cultivars under rainfed
condition in Andamans. South Ind. Hort., 44:90-92

Vijayaraghavakumar, George, K.C. and Krishan Nair, N.
1984. Comparative study of the contribution of
biometric characters on yield in desert varieties of
Banana. Agric. Res. J. Kerala, 22:155-160

Delvadia et al

J. Hortl. Sci.
Vol. 3 (2): 166-168, 2008