M. Sabu

Prem Jose Vazhacharickal

Sajeshkumar N.K

Jiby John Mathew

P. E. Sreejith

Ninu Maria James

Banana is an important fruit grown and consumed in tropics and sub tropic regions. It is the edible fruit usually seedless which can be grown in any climatic condition. It is rich in carbohydrates, fat, proteins, vitamins, minerals and water. A comparative study between 10 different Musa sp. in Kerala was conducted to study the various morphological characteristics. Each of the banana plant differ from each other on the basics of its height, length, colour, pseudostem, leaf, flower bud and fruit. The nutritional components such as moisture, crude protein, crude fibre, ether extract and total ash of pseudostem and leaf of selected varieties of Musa were analysed. For this pseudostem and leaf of 4 different varieties were selected and tested. The test was based on the AOAC method. The result shows that the crude fibre content of pseudostem and leaf is high with certain nutritive value.

Morphological characterization and nutritional analysis (leaf and pseudostem) of selected banana varieties in Kerala: an overview

Asish Issac Mathew

Solid state fermentation holds tremendous potentials for the production of the enzyme amylase by Aspergillus niger. Different solid substrates like banana pseudo-stem and leaf vein are rich in starch. These agro-industrial residues are cheap raw materials for amylase production. Aspergillus niger isolated from the bread was identified to be the best producer of amylase. When A. niger was incubated for 10 days at 37°C on pseudo-stem and leaf vein of locally available banana varieties like Ethan, Poovan, Palayamkodan and Kaali, as substrate in solid state fermentation. It showed high yield of amylase in Ethan leaf vein, followed by Palayankodan vein. All other substrate also showed moderate amount of amylase production.

Comparative study using banana pseudostem and leaf vein as substrates for amylase production using Aspergillus niger in Kerala: an overview

Banana one of the most popular consumed fruits in the tropical and sub-tropical region. Most of the edible bananas present now a days are derived solely from Musa accuminata Colla or Musa balbisiana Colla or a hybrid between the two wild diploid species. The main objective of this research work is to provide an overview of various pest and diseases affecting Banana in South India. Diseases and pests of edible banana became problems when certain genotypes were grown as monocultures. Fusarium wilt and Sigatoka leaf spot were also affect the banana production in South-India. Bacterial wilt and Xanthomonas wilt are other bacterial diseases affecting the banana production. Bunchy top and bract mosaic are damaging virus diseases, which have a limited distribution at present. Virus diseases mosaic and streak are less damaging, but more widespread. Pre- and post-harvest diseases of fruit also cause losses. The burrowing nematode is the most important root parasite of banana, and the most damaging banana insect pest is the rhizome-attacking banana weevil. Genetic engineering and other biotechnology-based approaches could produce better diseases tolerant varieties. Chemical control has been employed successfully in the past to counter pests and pathogens, but resistance to fungicides and pesticides is becoming a major issue. Biological control methods are being employed more often in integrated pest management programmes could offer a promising result to address this issue.

P. E. Sreejith

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