R4D Special: Scientists show which genetic loci are associated with bunch weight in highland banana
Scientists have, for the first time, located major quantitative trait loci associated with bunch weight and its component traits in Matooke, the East African Highland cooking banana. This is an important breakthrough in efforts to speed up breeding of improved high-yielding varieties for both food security and improved household incomes in the region.
Increasing banana bunch weight is a major objective in banana improvement since it determines yield. Scientists previously did not know much about the genetic factors regulating it.
