Yesterday I spoke with Antonio, the dad of my guest daughter Leda. He told me , that he had one banana plantation and one maracuja plantation, he invested much money in his both plantations, but the bananas and maracujas were sick
and no harvests were given. He sold his plantations quickly, one uncle of Leda got one of the plantations, but too early, otherwise he could sell it to me. And he has given up too quickly instead of trying new disease resistant banana varieties FHIA-01 and FHIA-03, also Mysore.
I told Antonio that I surmise that his bananas "Banana Maçã" are sensitive for Black Sigatoka, Panama Disease and Yellow Sigatoka. Many Brazilian banana farmers lost their banana plantations by these diseases. Also "Banana Nanica" might be sensitive for these diseases. I told him, that FHIA-01, FHIA-03 and Mysore might be better for him. I ask you now, which are more new banana varieties which also are very resistant and suitable for Brasil.
I found out, that FHIA-01 and FHIA-03 are tetraploid, AAAB. I will try get Musa basjoo to here and cross it with FHIA-01 AND FHIA-3, the basjoo hybrid will be triploid, so ABBas or AABas, disease resistant and hardy for cold climates at the same with edible fruits.
Best wishes from Brazil
Basjoofriend