Banana Breeding

Although bananas are one of the most important agricultural crops, they have been largely neglected in breeding programs. Providing a practical understanding of banana breeding, this book presents a detailed account of methodologies used in conventional and molecular breeding. Chapters cover the origin, history, and distribution of bananas as well as genetics, reproductive biology, conventional breeding methods, seed production, disease management, pest management, propagation, biotechnology, hybrid distribution, quality improvement, processing, and value addition. It also details future prospects for the continued, successful cultivation of bananas.