Latin name of the genus and species of the plant claimed: This triploid plant has only M. acuminata in its pedigree and is the product of an inter-specific cross between the triploid (AAA) cultivar ‘Williams’ and ‘Highgate’ (‘HG’). Its Latin name is M. acuminata (AAA) group, representing three genomes of this genus and species.
Variety denomination: ‘WH02’.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is co-pending with the following additional applications by the same inventor: “DESSERT BANANA PLANT NAMED ‘SH-4199’ (application Ser. No. 18/469,772), “DESSERT BANANA PLANT NAMED ‘WW01’ (application Ser. No. 18/469,766), “DESSERT BANANA PLANT NAMED ‘NW02’ (application Ser. No. 18/469,776) and “DESSERT BANANA PLANT NAMED ‘HG07’ (application Ser. No. 18/469,787). The plants of these applications, as well as the plant of the present application, were created in the banana breeding program of Applicant/Owner/Assignee, FHIA.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT Not applicable.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a new and distinctive hybrid banana variety named ‘WH02’. This new hybrid variety was the result of a field cross performed in 2016 in La Lima Cortés, Honduras, between ‘Williams’ x ‘Highgate’ (‘HG’) (Both unpatented). ‘HG’ is a triploid plant (AAA) susceptible to Black Sigatoka leaf spot disease (Mycosphaerella fijiensis) and Fusarium oxysporum race 1, belonging to the Gros Michel group. ‘Williams’ is a medium-sized triploid plant (AAA) susceptible to Black Sigatoka leaf spot disease and resistant to Fusarium Oxysporum race 1 but susceptible to race 4, belonging to the Cavendish group. ‘Williams’ is one of the most commercialized bananas worldwide; people prefer it for its flavor, aroma, and size. Both banana varieties were selected from a germplasm collection.
‘WH02’ is a triploid hybrid (AAA) created for the genetic improvement of the Gros Michel banana group. This hybrid was selected in 2018 from several first-generation seedlings from the cross between ‘Williams’ x ‘HG’. It was chosen as a triploid hybrid, maintaining characteristics of its parent's lines and producing bunches of 18 kilograms. ‘WH02’was asexually reproduced by corms by the breeder in La Lima Cortes, Honduras. All plants and fruit run true to the initially selected plant and are identical in all aspects.
The ‘WH02’ hybrid shares many characteristics with its parent plants, ‘Williams’, and ‘Highgate’. It has a similar leaf shape, plant height, and stem shape. However, the bunch shape is quite different from its parents, and the flavor is slightly altered as well. While ‘Williams’ and ‘Highgate’ are both sweet and have a pleasant flavor, the ‘WHO2’ hybrid is slightly sweeter with a unique taste. Unfortunately, like its parents, it is highly susceptible to black Sigatoka (Mycosphaerella fijiensis), a disease that affects banana plants. It's important to note that this comparison is made in the context of commercial varieties, as ‘Williams’ is one of the most widely commercialized banana varieties in the world and, a parent of this hybrid.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION ‘WH02’ is a hybrid dessert banana variety with a tall stature, is tolerant to Black Sigatoka, and produces high-quality fruit.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS The figures describe the characteristics of the ‘WH02’ hybrid banana variety at 10.5 months old. The color shown in the photographs is as nearly accurate as reasonably possible in this type's color representation.
FIG. 1 shows the typical appearance of a plant;
FIG. 2A-B shows blotches at the petiole base (A) and a petiole canal leaf (B);
FIG. 3A-C shows the shape of a leaf blade base (A) and leaf upper (B) and leaf lower (C) surfaces;
FIG. 4 shows typical suckers;
FIG. 5 shows a typical fruit bunch;
FIG. 6 shows a male bud;
FIG. 7A-C shows bracts of a male bud;
FIG. 8A-B shows compound tepal (A) and free tepals (B) lobes;
FIG. 9A-B shows style shape (A) and ovary (B);
FIG. 10 shows a typical male flower;
FIG. 11 shows rowed ovules and
FIG. 12 shows a typical second hand.
DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION This report provides a thorough botanical description of the new ‘WH02’ variety evaluated in La Lima, Cortés, Honduras, 2023. The descriptions concord with the internationally standardized “Descriptors for Banana (Musa spp.)” elaborated by IPGRI/INIBAP/CIRAD, 1996 (www.inibap.org), and The U.K.'s Royal Horticultural Society's Colour Chart, 2001. The ‘WH02’ plant and its fruit may differ slightly from the descriptors provided due to variations in cultural practices, soil types, and climatic conditions under which the variety may be cultivated.
Leaf habit Intermediate
Dwarfism tall
Pseudostem height ≥3 meters
Pseudostem length 2.46 m
Pseudostem diameter 61 cm
Pseudostem aspect Robust
Pseudostem color Green (141C, RHS)
Pseudostem appearance Shiny (not waxy)
The predominant underlying Yellow-Green (150D, RHS)
color of the pseudostem
Pigmentation of the underlying Greyed-Purple (187B, RHS)
pseudostem
Sap color Watery (155D, RHS)
Wax-on leaf sheaths Very few waxes
Number of suckers 4
Development of suckers >¾ of the height of the
parent plant
Position of suckers Close to parent (vertical
growth)
Blotches at the petiole base Small blotches
Blotches color Grey-Brown (N196A, RHS)
Petiole canal leaf III Wide with erect margins
Petiole margins Winged and clasping the
pseudostem
Wing type Dry
Petiole margin color Without color
Edge of petiole margin Colourless (Without a color
line along)
Petiole margin width 1 to 2 cm
Leaf blade length 171 to 220 cm
Leaf blade width 81 to 90 cm
Petiole length 45 to 50 cm
Color of the leaf's upper Green (137A, RHS)
Surface
Appearance of leaf upper Dull
surface
Color of the leaf's lower Green (N139B, RHS)
surface
Appearance of leaf lower Dull
surface
Wax on leaves Few waxes
Insertion point of leaf blade on Symmetric
petiole
Shape of the leaf blade base Both sides rounded
Leaf corrugation Even, smooth
Color of midrib dorsal surface Green (138B, RHS)
Color of midrib ventral surface Yellow-Green (145C, RHS)
Color of cigar leaf dorsal Green (139C, RHS)
surface
Blotches on leaves of water Without blotches
suckers
Peduncle length 61 to 68 cm
Empty nodes on the peduncle Two or more
Peduncle width 7-12 cm
Peduncle color Green (137B, RHS)
Peduncle hairiness Very hairy, short hairs (similar
to velvet touch)
Bunch position Hanging vertically
Bunch shape Cylindrical
Bunch appearance Lax
Bunch length 120 cm
Bunch diameter 66 cm
Number of hands of the bunch 12
Flowers that form the fruit Female
Fruits Biseriate
Rachis type Present and male buds may be
degenerated or persistent.
Rachis position With a curve
Rachis appearance Bare
Male bud type Normal (present)
Male bud shape Like a top
Male bud size 31 cm
Bract base shape Large shoulder
Bract apex shape Pointed
Bract imbrication Old bracts overlap at the apex
of the bud.
Color of the bract external face Greyed-Orange (177D, RHS)
Color of the bract internal ace Yellow (10D, RHS)
Color of the bract apex Tinted with yellow (discolored)
(7C, RHS)
Color stripes on the bract Without discolored lines or
stripes on the external face
Bract scars on rachis Very prominent
Persistence of the bracts of the Moderate
rachis
Fading of color on bract base Color discontinuing towards
the base.
Male bract shape Ovate
Male bract lifting Lifting one at a time
Bract behavior before falling Revolute (Rolling)
Wax on the bract Moderately waxy
Presence of grooves on the Moderate
bract
Male flower behavior Falling after the bract
Compound tepal basic color White (155C, RHS)
Compound tepal pigmentation Very few or no visible signs
of pigmentation
Lobe color of compound tepal Greyed-Orange (163B, RHS)
Lobe development of Developed
compound tepal
Free tepal color Opaque White (155D, RHS)
Free tepal shape Oval
Free tepal appearance Simple folding under the apex
Free tepal apex development Little or no visible sign of
development
Free tepal apex shape Thread-like
Anther exsertion Inserted
Filament color Greyed-White (156D, RHS)
Anther color Green-White (157C, RHS)
Pollen sacs color Greyed-Red (198D, RHS)
Pollen vitality Medium
Style basic color Green-White (157C, RHS)
Pigmentation on style Without pigmentation
Style exsertion Inserted
Style shape Curved at the base
Stigma color Yellow-Orange (14A, RHS)
Ovary shape Arched
Ovary basic color Green (142D, RHS)
Ovary pigmentation Very few or no visible signs
of pigmentation
Dominant color of male White 155C, RHS)
flower
Irregular flowers Absent
Arrangement of ovules Two rowed
Fruit position Parallel to the stalk
Number of fruits 17 to 20
Fruit length 13 to 15 cm
Fruit width 3.2 cm
Fruit shape (longitudinal Curved (sharp curve)
curvature)
Color of the flesh of the fruit Creamy (158C, RHS)
Longitudinal ridges of the Moderate
fruit
Transverse section of fruit Slightly ridged
Fruit apex Blunt-tipped
Remains of flower relicts at Persistent style
the fruit apex
Fruit pedicel length 21 to 23 mm
Fruit pedicel width 5 to 10 mm
Pedicel surface Hairy
Fusion of pedicel Very partially or no visible
sign of fusion
Immature fruit peel color Green (141D, RHS)
Mature fruit peel color Yellow-Orange (14C, RHS)
Fruit peel thickness 2 to 3 mm
Adherence to the fruit peel Fruit peels easily
Cracks in fruit peel Cracked
Pulp in fruit With pulp
Pulp color before maturity White (N155D, RHS)
Pulp color at maturity Yellow-Orange (18B, RHS)
Fruits fall from hands. Deciduous
Flesh texture Firm
Predominant taste Sweet (like Cavendish)
Presence of seed with the Without seeds
source of pollen
Seed surface Without seeds
Seed shape Without seeds
Growth habit of the plant Upright
