Researchers at Nagaland University highlighted genetic richness of wild banana Musa sikkimensis for climate-resilient farming.
About Musa sikkimensis:
It is a wild banana species.
It is native to the Eastern Himalayas and Northeast India.
Other Names: It is commonly known as the ‘Darjeeling banana’ or ‘Sikkim banana’,
Features of Musa sikkimensis:
It is a tall, evergreen perennial plant that belongs to the banana family.
It has large, paddle-shaped leaves that can grow up to 10 feet (3 meters) long and 2 feet (60 cm) wide.
The plant produces beautiful, pendulous flowers that are a deep maroon color and can grow up to 2 feet (60 cm) long.
It is not widely cultivated for edible fruit. It plays a crucial role in strengthening crop resilience and ensuring sustainable production.
Its germplasm exhibits strong adaptive potential across diverse environmental conditions.
It is a wild-seeded species that serves as a crucial genetic reservoir.
Required Climatic Conditions for Musa sikkimensis:
It prefers high humidity levels, around 50-60%.
It prefers warm temperatures between 20-30°C.
It can tolerate cooler temperatures, but not below 10°C.
Significance: It possesses traits linked to disease resistance, environmental stresstolerance and climate adaptability, making it an invaluable resource for future banana breeding and crop improvement programmes.
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