Item Details

Title: Response of banana hybrids to the banana weevil (Cosmopolites sordidus Germar) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in Uganda

Date Published: 2014
Author/s: I.K. Arinaitwe, E. Hilman, R. Ssali, A. Barekye, J. Kubiriba, G. Kagezi, H. Talwana, C. Nankinga, P.E. Ragama and W.K. Tushemereirwe
Data publication:
Funding Agency :
Copyright/patents/trade marks: National Agricultural Research Organisation
Journal Publisher: Uganda Journal of Agricultural Sciences
Affiliation: National Agricutural Research Organisation (NARO), National banana research programme, Kawanda,
P. O. Box 7065, Kampala, Uganda
2College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, P. O. Box 7062, Makerere University,
Kampala, Uganda, National Agricultural Research Organisation
Keywords: Banana hybrids, Cosmopolites sordidus, resistance

Abstract:

Banana weevil (Cosmopolites sordidus (Germar) is one of the major constraints to banana production
in Uganda. A field screening experimentwas undertaken at Kawanda to determine the response of
18 hybrids to the banana weevil (Cosmopolites sordidus (Germar).Based on total cross-sectional
damage, results indicated that there was improved resistance to banana weevil in the hybrids
tested. Damage scores for all the tested hybrids were significantly different from the susceptible
check (Atwalira). Except M4, M5, M6 and M8, the rest of the hybrids showed significant difference
from the resistant cultivar (Yangambi KM 5). Data on mat disappearance showed that hybrids
were more stable than the susceptible check, while findings from weevil trap catches suggested
no relationship between attraction and weevil damage. Resultsshowed that some hybrids have
superior agronomic and yield characteristics, however due to high weevil infestation, the findings
of the study were not representative of maximum yield potential that may be achieved under good management practices.