Correlation and principal component analyses in plantain (Musa spp., AAB group) somaclonal variants

Abstract

Banana and plantain (Musa spp.) are important staple food crops in Sub-Saharan Africa and contribute substantially to the incomes of smallholders who grow the crops in backyards or home gardens [1]. The impact of black Sigatoka (Mycosphaerella fijiensis Morelet), a leaf spot disease has been recognized as a limitation to Musa production, resulting to yield losses of between 20 to 90% [2]. Breeding for resistant cultivars has been credited as the most appropriate control measure. However, Musa improvement through conventional breeding approaches is difficult due to low seed fertility and narrow genetic base. The application of biotechnological methods have facilitated the breeding process and somaclonal variants resulting thereof have shown tolerant to black Sigatoka disease and higher yield [3]. In breeding, crop yield is a complex trait whose expression depends on the interplay of other related traits that can be best explained by appropriate biometrical tools. Correlation reveals the different traits that contribute to crop yield [4] while principal component analysis is used to show diversity in germplasms [5]. In this stUdy, we have used these tools to explain the traits that contribute to yield and characterize plantain somaclonal variants.