Major varieties of banana

There are more than 300 species of banana. In which mainly 15 - 20 varieties are cultivated. Through this post you can get information about different varieties of banana.

• G-9 : G-9 means Grand-9 is one of the major banana species cultivated in India. This species has been prepared from tissue culture. Up to 1,400 banana plants can be planted per acre of land. About 30 kg of fruit is obtained from one plant. The specialty of this variety is that just 9 months after planting the plants, the fruits start getting ready. Its fruit storage capacity is also good. Ripe fruits can be stored at room temperature for 12 to 15 days. Its fruits are large and sweet in size.

• Dwarf Cavendis: It is one of the major cultivars cultivated in India. This variety is also known as Singaporean, Sindurani, Basrai, Morris, Jahaji etc. Its plant is small. The fruits of this species are large in size, sweet with soft pulp. Its bunches weigh about 20 kg. It is cold tolerant as compared to other varieties.

• Robusta: This variety is known by many names like Bamboogreen, Harichal, Bojihaji etc. The height of this variety of plants ranges from 3 to 4 meters. Its fruits are yellow in color and sweet when ripe. One bunch weighs 25 to 30 kg.

• Rasthali: This species is also known as Malbhog, Sonkela, Amrit Pani etc. The height of the plants is about 2.5 to 3.0 meters. Its fruits are four-angled thick and yellow in color. The peel of this variety of banana is thin.

• Nandran: This banana is mostly used in making chips. Apart from this, its vegetables are also made. The height of the plants is 3 meters. There are 4 to 6 stalks in a bunch and 8 to 14 fruits in all the stalks.

• Karpooravalli: This variety is also known as Bontha, Bensa and Keshakal. Its plant with strong stems is 10 to 12 feet tall. A plant has 5 to 6 clusters. In which 60 to 70 fruits are produced.

• CO 1 : The weight of clusters in this variety of plants included in hybrid varieties is about 10 kg. Its fruits come in 14 months.

• H1 : The color of clusters produced in this hybrid variety of medium height plants is 14 to 16 kg. Its fruits are long, which turn yellow when ripe. Even when cooked, they have a mild sour taste.

Apart from these varieties, many other species of banana are cultivated in the country. These include varieties like Green bark, Hill Banana , Poovan (Chinese Champa), Alpan, Campirganj, Battisa, Kothia, Munthan, H2, FHIA1 etc.