In the lush, tropical landscapes of southern China, a new banana cultivar is making waves, promising to boost yields and delight palates. Guijiao No. 10, a high-quality, high-yield banana variety, has recently secured national plant variety rights, marking a significant milestone in banana cultivation. The research, led by Dr. Li Jialin from the Biotechnology Research Institute at the Guangxi Academy of Agricultural Sciences, offers a glimpse into the future of banana farming, with potential implications for the commercial sector.
The journey of Guijiao No. 10 began in 2010, when a natural mutant of the Brazilian banana was identified in a plantation in Sanya. This mutant stood out due to its tall and thick pseudostems, long fruit stalks, and elongated fingers. Dr. Li and his team excavated suckers from this mutant for tissue culture propagation, designating it as TX. After years of meticulous selection and propagation, the stable and excellent strain TX-23 emerged, which was later named Guijiao No. 10 in 2019.
Guijiao No. 10 boasts impressive characteristics. Its pseudostems are tall and sturdy, with an average height of 284.56 cm. The fruit bunches are neatly arranged, with an average length of 84.40 cm and width of 37.00 cm. The fingers are elongated, with an average length of 24.17 cm and weight of 149.75 g. The cultivar’s yield is noteworthy, with an average yield of 49,355.32 kg per hectare for the first-generation banana, representing a 10.52% increase compared to the parental Brazilian banana. The ratoon crop yield is equally impressive, with an average of 54,424.29 kg per hectare, showing an 8.23% increase over the parental variety.
The nutritional profile of Guijiao No. 10 is also commendable. The fruit’s sucrose content is about 6.20 g per 100 g, with a soluble sugar content of 20.87%. It also contains a good amount of vitamin C (12.50 mg per 100 g) and potassium (364 mg per 100 g), making it a nutritious choice for consumers.
Dr. Li emphasizes the importance of this new cultivar, stating, “Guijiao No. 10 not only offers higher yields but also maintains the quality and taste that consumers expect from bananas. This variety is a game-changer for banana farmers, offering them a more productive and profitable option.”
The commercial implications of this research are substantial. With its high yield and quality, Guijiao No. 10 has the potential to boost the banana industry, benefiting farmers and consumers alike. The variety’s suitability for planting in tropical and subtropical regions, including Guangxi, Guangdong, Hainan, and Yunnan, further expands its commercial potential.
The research was recently published in ‘Guoshu xuebao’, which translates to ‘Acta Horticulturae Sinica’, a renowned journal in the field of horticulture. This publication underscores the significance of the research and its potential impact on the agricultural sector.
As we look to the future, the development of Guijiao No. 10 opens up new possibilities for banana cultivation. Dr. Li hints at the broader implications, noting, “This research is not just about creating a new banana variety. It’s about understanding the potential of natural mutants and using biotechnology to enhance their traits. This approach could be applied to other crops, paving the way for more productive and sustainable agriculture.”
In the ever-evolving world of agriculture, Guijiao No. 10 stands as a testament to the power of scientific research and innovation. As farmers and consumers alike embrace this new cultivar, the future of banana farming looks brighter than ever. The journey of Guijiao No. 10 is a reminder that in the pursuit of progress, every discovery, no matter how small, can make a significant difference.