Genetic improvement of banana tree

The objective of this work was to discuss results related to pollination, embryo culture and field evaluations of banana diploid (AA) and tetraploid (AAAB, Prata and Maca types) hybrids. The best diploids of the Banana Active Germplasm Bank (BAGB), of the Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuaria (Embrapa) - Centro Nacional de Pesquisa de Mandioca e Fruticultura (CNPMF) were intercrossed and 16 of them were selected based on yield and diseases resistance. Those selected hybrids, in addition to SH 3263 introduced from Federacion Hondurena de Investigacion Agricola, constitute a pollination field. Intercrossing those 17 diploid, as well as crossing them with commercial varieties, generated new diploids and tetraploids Prata and Maca types. Embryo culture has been performed in order to increase seed germination of tetraploids. It is concluded that: breeding banana diploid hybrids for yield and resistance to diseases is a promising technique; obtaining tetraploid seeds depends on the diploid and the triploid used; embryo culture has not shown high efficiency on embryo recovery; and the improvement technique applied to the banana Prata type can be also used for improvement of banana Maca type. The banana improvement program for generation of tetraploid Prata type produced eleven hybrids showing good yield and resistance to yellow Sigatoka, which are ready for commercial evaluation.