Conservation and use of genetic resources (Genebanks)

The document is the final technical report for the project titled “Conservation and Use of Genetic Resources (Genebanks),” conducted by the ICAR-National Research Centre for Banana (ICAR-NRCB). The report outlines the successful hosting of an international workshop on “Phenotyping for Drought Tolerance” in March 2023, with international participants from various countries. The workshop aimed to train researchers on identifying drought-tolerant crop genotypes under field conditions, with a focus on banana cultivation. The event featured lectures, practical sessions, and field visits.

Additionally, the report discusses the evaluation of 99 banana genotypes for resistance to Fusarium wilt, a serious disease affecting banana crops in India. The genotypes were tested under both glasshouse and field conditions for their reaction to two races of the disease. Only two accessions, Akpakpak (AAB) and FHIA-23 (AAAA), were found resistant to both Fusarium wilt races. The document highlights the importance of these resistant varieties for future commercial cultivation and breeding programs.

Selvarajan, R.; Uma, S.; Ravi, I.; Mayilvaganan, M.; Thanagvelu, R.; Karpagam, C.; Chase, R.; Ruas, M.; Carpentier, S.; Roux, N.