The taxonomy and origins of the cultivated bananas.

Abstract

SUMMARY A taxonomic scoring method is used to classify the edible bananas and to provide evidence on their evolution. Edible diploid forms of Musa acuminata are thought to be the primary source of the whole group to which another species, M, baibisiana, has contributed by hybridization. Thus there exist diploid and triploid edible forms of M. acuminata and diploid, triploid and tetraploid hybrid types of genetic constitutions that vary according to their histories. There is a faint possibility that a third wild species has contributed to the origins of a small group of triploid hybrid types. Triploidy was probably established under human selection for vigour and fruit size; tetraploidy is inexplicably rare. The centre of origin of the group is Indo‐Malaya and Malaya is probably the primary centre. The two Ldnnaean species M. paradisiaca and M. sapientum refer to identifiable edible varieties which are both shown here to be of hybrid origin. The names therefore may be rejected from the nomenclature of the wild bananas.

Comparative kayomorphology of edibleMusacultivars of West Bengal

“…are an important crop in the subtropics and tropics and are derived from the intra-and inter-specific hybridization of two wild diploid species, Musa acuminata Colla (AA) and Musa balbisiana Colla (BB) (Simmonds and Shepherd 1955). Inter-crossing among species and subspecies has resulted in the appearance of sterility, a trait that was selected during domestication, together with parthenocarpy and vegetative propagation (Simmonds 1995).…”

“…These cultivars have a wide range of genome permutations, including AA, AB, BB, AAA, AAB, ABB, AAAB, ABBB, and AABB. Based on morphological observations of the characters that differentiate the two wild species and on the ploidy level of the different clones, Simmonds and Shepherd (1955) recognized five main genomic groups of cultivated bananas, designated AA, AB, AAA, AAB, and ABB. Within each group, related clones are associated in a subgroup.…”

“…These have always been a staple component of the human diet. Bananas and plantains are derived from the intra-and inter-specific hybridization of two wild diploid species Musa acuminata Colla (AA) and Musa balbisiana Colla (BB) (Simmonds and Shepherd 1955). However, Musa species are now grouped according to "ploidy," the number of chromosome sets they contain, and the relative proportion of Musa acuminata (A) and Musa balbisiana (B) genes in their genome.…”

Why Bananas Matter: An introduction to the history of banana domestication

“…The former group represents a secondary diversity and the latter group is the product of tertiary (somaclonal) diversification. Since almost all diploid and triploid edible bananas are derived from one or two of the species M. acuminata (A) and M. balbisiana (B), they are classified in the groups AA, AAA, AAB and ABB, according to the relative participation of the respective genomes in the genotype (Simmonds & Shepherd 1955 Domestication of M. maclayi led to the generation of the rather unique Fe`i bananas in the Pacific, which are traditionally absent anywhere else. The starchy yellow-orange pulp is rich in carotene precursors, but the generally massive pseudostems demand a relatively longer maturation time before bearing fruit.…”

Host plant response of Eumusa and Australimusa bananas (Musa spp.) to migratory endoparasitic and root-knot nematodes

“…These Fe'i varieties are characterised by their erect fruit bunches and generally red sap. The commonly known banana and plantain varieties belong to the Eumusa section and are derived from the species Musa acuminata (A genome) and M. balbisiana (B genome) (Simmonds & Shepherd, 1955). Wild and edible diploid AA varieties form the base for the widely cultivated triploid varieties.…”