Genetic and phenotypic correlations in plantain-banana euploid hybrids

The objective of this work was to determine intraclass correlations for growth and yield traits, as well as associations between them, in segregating hybrids. Diploid, triploid and tetraploid hybrids were obtained from triploid-diploid crosses between plantains and bananas. These hybrids were evaluated as plants and as ratoon crops on a humid forest site. Significant differences between ploidy within crosses were observed for most traits. The tetraploids were taller, had longer production cycles but a shorter fruit filling time, and heavier bunches than the diploids. There were significant differences between clones of the same ploidy within crosses. Hence, individual selection within ploidy will be effective for the improvement of plantain. Most of the bunch and fruit traits were positively and significantly associated, especially at the tetraploid level. Selection for large fruit at the diploid and tetraploid levels may lead to heavy fruits, thereby resulting in hybrids bearing heavy bunches. Significant and positive correlations between plant height and bunch weight at the tetraploid level suggest that selection of dwarf plantains with heavy bunches may be difficult.