Four banana hybrids have been given to Dominica by the Centre for International Co-operation in Agronomic Research for Development (CIRAD) as efforts continue to combat the Black Sigatoka disease that is now affecting the island.
The hybrids are part of a research to evaluate the agronomic parameters of banana hybrids, confirming their resistance to Black Sigatoka and to determine the acceptance of the banana hybrids nationally and regionally, the Ministry of Agriculture said in a release.
The hybrid banana plants are now being cultivated in a banana experimental plot situated at the La Plaine Agricultural Station and Ministry of Agriculture officials say they show great potential.
Officials from CIRAD also visited Dominica recently to observe the development of the project.
The Ministry said in its release that the hybrids have already been evaluated in India and are now being evaluated in Guadeloupe, Martinique, Dominican Republic, St. Vincent, St. Lucia and Dominica.
Black Sigatoka was detected in Dominica earlier this year and officials here regard it as the most economically important threat faced by the banana industry, locally and regionally. It can cut down the productivity of a banana plant by 50 percent.
The project is funded by Inter-regional Caribbean Sustainable Bananas (INTERREG CARIBES) and the Government of Dominica.
Will the hydrid make plants from it’s own? Or do you have to buy plants from the experemental plant or their agency.