Evaluation of Plantain (Musa spp.) Varieties for Growth and Yield Characters in Humid Rainforest Zone of Nigeria

A field experiment was conducted to evaluate the growth and yield characteristics of plantain varieties in the humid rain forest zone of Nigeria. The research was conducted at the University of Uyo Teaching and Research Farm in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of various plantain varieties with a view to identify high yielding genotypes. The planting material used for this study were the following varieties - 4479-1, 7152-2, Agbagba, Akpakpak, Mbiegome and a local cultivar called “Ogoni Red” obtained from the iInternational iInstitute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Onne, River State. Data collected on shoot and bunch yields characters were statistically assessed by analysis of variance. The growth characters showed significant variations among the plantain varieties. Plant height at 32 weeks after planting showed that variety 4479-1 recorded the highest height, 4.09 m while Agbagba and Mbiegome had heights 3.21 m and 3.07 m, respectively. The bunch characteristics measured after harvesting were statistically significant differences (P < 0.05) among the varieties. The bunch weight differed significantly (P < 0.05) amongst the varieties. The result showed that the yield (bunch weight) for Mbiegome was 10.55 kg, followed by 4479-1 with 10.28 kg., while 7152-2, Ogoni red and Agbagba varieties recorded 07.68 kg, 04.11 kg and 09.5 kg, respectively. In this study, variety Mbiegome outperformed other varieties in terms of yield and yield components apart from the finger thickness and length and is therefore recommended to promotion in Akwa Ibom State.