1st Edition

Banana Breeding Progress and Challenges

Edited By Michael Pillay, Abdou Tenkouano Copyright 2011

    With the current world population growth of 1.2%, the earth can expect to house 9-10 billion people by 2050. Food production, too, must increase to accommodate these numbers. Easy growing, high calorie, nutritious foods, such as bananas are the top priority as a solution to this imminent problem. The first comprehensive compendium on bananas in rec

    General Plant Morphology of Musa. Evolution and Genetic Relationships in Banana and Plantains. Genetic Resources for Banana Improvement. Genomes, Cytogenetics, and Flow Cytometry of Musa. Genetics of Important Traits in Musa. Major Diseases of Banana. Integrated Pest Management of Banana. Reproductive Biology. Breeding Techniques. Mutations and Cultivar Development of Banana. Biotechnology in Musa Improvement. Genotype by Environment Interaction and Musa Improvement. Quality Improvement of Cultivated Musa. Postharvest Processed Products from Banana. Propagation Methods in Musa. Hybrid Distribution to Farmers: Adoption and Challenges. Molecular Breeding of Other Vegetatively Propagated Crops: Lessons for Banana. Future Prospects. Index.

    Biography

    Michael Pillay, Ph.D. is an associate professor at Vaal University of Technology in Vanderbijlpark, South Africa.

    Abdou Tenkouano, Ph.D. is a counselor at the Research for Development Council at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture in Croydon, United Kingdom.