Exploration of the Growth Performance of Indigenous and Exotic Banana Clones in the Semi-Arid Climate of South-Western Agro-Ecological Zone of Uganda

On station experimental trial on the growth performance and resistance against black sigatoka of the indigenous and exotic banana clones were evaluated at Mbarara Zonal Agricultural Research and Development Institute. The experiment composed of 11 indigenous and 3 exotic banana clones planted at 3 × 3 m, and replicated three times in three blocks, was laid in a Complete Randomized Block Design. Data on banana growth parameters and susceptibility to black sigatoka were collected in the 3rd and 4th crop cycles. Both the indigenous and exotic banana clones exhibited high growth and yield potentials in the semi-arid conditions of the south-western agroecological zone of Uganda. Kabucuragye and Williams had significantly (p < 0.05) taller and shorter pseudostems compared to other banana clones, respectively. FHIA 17 and FHIA 23, exhibited the largest pseudostem girths of 84.97 cm and 75.4 cm, respectively. Also, the highest number of leaves was observed with the same banana clones: FHIA 17 (12.8) and FHIA 23 (12.6), indicating that they had the highest growth vigor. Mporogoma exhibited significantly (p < 0.05) more fingers on hands, in turn leading to significantly higher bunch weights compared to other indigenous banana clones. Nonetheless, FHIA 17 and FHIA 23, had significant superior bunch weights. Exotic and Mporogoma indigenous clones were most susceptible to black sigatoka among all the banana clones.