Assessment of banana genotypes for physico-chemical fruit quality and post-harvest characteristics

Abstract

Banana (Musa spp.) is one of the world’s most important fruit crops, serving as a vital source of nutrition, income, and livelihood security in tropical and subtropical regions. India leads global banana production, contributing significantly to fruit availability and rural employment. However, the quality and post-harvest behaviour of banana fruits vary widely across genotypes due to their diverse genetic makeup and ecological adaptation. The present study entitled “Assessment of banana genotypes for physico-chemical fruit quality and post-harvest characteristics” was carried out during 2024-25 at ICAR-AICRP on Fruits, Kittur Rani Channamma College of Horticulture, Arabhavi, under the University of Horticultural Sciences, Bagalkot, Karnataka. Sixty-four banana genotypes were evaluated in a Complete Block Design (CBD) with two replications to assess variation in fruit quality and storage potential. Significant differences were observed among genotypes for total soluble solids (TSS), titratable acidity, TSS:acid ratio, ascorbic acid content, shelf life, and physiological loss in weight (PLW). The genotype ‘Sakkarebale’ recorded the highest TSS (26.15 °B) and lowest acidity (0.24%), resulting in a superior TSS:acid ratio (109.15), while ‘Poovan’ exhibited the highest ascorbic acid content (7.13 mg/100 g). ‘Popoulu’ showed the longest shelf life (11.62 days), and ‘Red Banana’ recorded the least PLW (5.23%). The variability observed highlights the rich genetic diversity within Musa germplasm, providing valuable opportunities for selecting superior parental lines for quality improvement and post-harvest resilience. The findings underline the potential of specific genotypes for commercial cultivation and utilization in banana breeding programs targeting enhanced fruit quality and storability.