Physicochemical characteristics, popularity and susceptibility to anthracnose of some local banana cultivars

The physicochemical characteristics, peel thiclcness, firmness, peel to pulp ralio, pI-I, % titratable acidity (%TA), and solublc solids content (SSC), werc determined in six local cultivars of banana; 'Ambon', 'Ernbul', 'Kolilruttu', 'Seeniltehel', 'Puwalu', and 'Anamalu'. Physicochemical characteristics were comparable to those of some commercially important cultivars in other countries. A tendancy for a positive correlation (pS0.1) was observed between pairs of physical parameters (peel thickness, firmness ancl pee1:pulp). The lowest and the highest peel thiclrnesses were observed in 'Kolilcuttu' (1.27 mm) and 'Anamalu' (2.73 mm) respectively. These cultivars also recorded the lowest ('Koli.lruttu'-0.91 kgcm'2) and tha highest ('Anamalu'-2.01 kg cm.3 firmness values. The highest peel to pulp ratio was in 'Anamalu' (0.24) and the lowest, in 'Kolilcuttu' (0.09). A significantly lower pII (3.73) ancl higher %TA (10.56) were observed in 'Emlnul'. The pulp of ripe 'Seenikehel' had a significantly higher SSC (25.58Rrix). A taste preference stucly showed that 'Kolilruttu' was the most popular, while 'Ernbul' and 'Ambon' werc preferred second, equally. The least prefkrred were 'Anamalu', 'Seenilcehel' and 'Puwalu'. Initiation of anthracnose was delayed the most, in'Pi~walu', when conidia of C. n.itLsac., from typical anthracnose lesions from 'Anamalu' fruits were inoculated onto ripe fruits of the other 5 cultivars. In 'Puwalu', anthracnose devel- opment and spreading of lesions were also comparatively slow. Anlhracnose develop- ment was most rapid in 'Kolilcuttu', which also recorded the lowest firmncss and the lowest peel to pulp ratio. The correlation between lesion diameters ancl each physi- cal parameter was negative without statistical significance.