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In June, 1988, I visited banana variety collections in Indonesia, (Cibinong, Bogor, Purwodadi, Tlekung), Malaysia (MARDI), Thailand (Pakchong) and the Philippines (Los Baños, Davao) searching for disease resistant varieties for Australia and our South Pacific neighbours. While collecting suitable resistant varieties, I classified the range of banana germplasm in the collections. Table 1 is a summary showing the more important varieties and their various names in the different countries. Names and spellings given for a variety also vary within countries. The most widely used name is given in the table. Many more varieties exist in this region which is recognized as the centre of origin of bananas. Those varieties not mentioned in the table are of minor importance.

In the November, 1988 RFC Newsletter there was an article which discussed the virtues of various banana varieties in Indonesia. As can be seen from Table 1 we already have most of the varieties mentioned in that article in Australia (Some are still in quarantine). Some additional meanings of Indonesia/Malaysia variety names are:

• Badak = rhino (thick skinned/horn-shaped)
• Kepok = dented/irregular shape
• Lumut = moss/soft
• Masak = cook/cooked
• Nangka = jackfruit
• Putih = white
• Seribu = thousand
• Tandok = horn
• Udang = prawn (refers to red fruit)

Other varieties mentioned in the article were P. Batu and P. Klutuk which are the wild seeded species Musa balbisiana. P. Seribu is the thousand-fruited banana (AAB) which is perhaps only of ornamental interest, and P. Kapas is an ABB cooking banana. However, I am unfamiliar with P. Banten, P. Manggala, P. Bidgi and P. Kipas mentioned in the article.

The QDPI is committed to improving the profitability of banana growing in Queensland and ensuring its long-term viability. Threats to the commercial banana industry by black Sigatoka leaf disease and Moko disease (Bacterial Wilt), present overseas, and Race 4 of Panama disease (Fusarium Wilt) and bunchy top virus, which is confined to Southern Queensland, means that strict quarantine must be enforced when new varieties are being introduced to ensure these diseases do not enter and jeopardize our industry. Collecting and quarantine usually takes about 2 years, which is followed by thorough field evaluation which can take a further 3 to 6 years before release.

Table 1 Important South East Asian Banana Varieties - Classification and Synonyms

Jeff Daniells
Senior Horticulturist QDPI, South Johnstone, Q.

DATE: November 1989

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