Comparative Morphology of Locally Cultivated Banana and Plantain (Musa spp.) Varieties in Cross River State

Musa species (banana and plantain) are among the most important staple food crops in South South Nigeria, and morphological characterisation of the diverse varieties cultivated in Cross River State is essential for genetic resource management and improved variety selection. This study characterised 20 Musa accessions collected from farmers in Calabar, Akamkpa, and Bekwarra Local Government Areas of Cross River State using standard morphological descriptors from IPGRI/INIBAP Musa descriptor list. Descriptors measured included pseudostem height, pseudostem girth, number of functional leaves at flowering, petiole channel characteristics, leaf blade dimensions, bunch weight, number of hands per bunch, number of fingers per hand, and finger length and girth. Qualitative traits including pseudostem colour, midrib colour, and skin colour were also recorded. Principal component analysis was used to assess morphological diversity. Principal component analysis extracted five components explaining 68.3% of total variation. Pseudostem height ranged from 1.82m (dwarf plantain) to 4.51m (tall dessert banana accession). Bunch weight varied from 4.2 kg to 18.7 kg. Plantain accessions clustered distinctly from dessert banana accessions in all ordination analyses. French and French Horn plantain types were the most widely cultivated. Three accessions showed intermediate morphology consistent with hybrid origin. The study provides baseline morphological characterisation data for Musa accessions in Cross River State and recommends the establishment of a community gene bank to conserve this varietal diversity.

Keywords: Musa, banana, plantain, morphological characterisation, Cross River State