Indian Journal of Horticulture
Year : 2011, Volume : 68, Issue : 2
First page : ( 145) Last page : ( 151)
Print ISSN : 0972-8538. Online ISSN : 0974-0112.

Evidence of a new Musa species - M. swarnaphalya in India and its confirmation through morpho-molecular characterization

Uma S.**, Saraswathi M.S., Durai P.

National Research Centre for Banana, Thogamalai Road, Thayanur Post, Tiruchirapalli, 620 102, Tamil Nadu

**Corresponding author's E-mail: umabinit@yahoo.co.in.

Received:  December,  2009; Revised:  December,  2010; Accepted:  February,  2011.

Abstract

A new species, Musa swarnaphalya, Uma, Saraswathi and Durai, has been identified from Sessa village of Balukpong district in southern Arunachal Pradesh. It is characterised by its unique greenish-yellow colour male bud. Diploid status of this species was proven using flow cytometry and its identity as a new species was assessed through morpho-taxonomy and confirmed through RAPD and IRAP markers. M. swarnaphalya grouped with M. itinerans and M. nagensium in a distinct cluster confirming its stand within the section Eumusa. Freedom from pests and diseases in its place of distribution suggests its possible utility as a resistant gene source in future breeding programmes.

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Keywords

Banana, Musa swarnaphalya, new species.

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