In vitro micro-propagation of
banana plants has been reported to be faster than the conventional propagation with sucker-derived plants [DREW & SMITH, 1990]. However, there seems to be variety-dependency.
For example, ZAMORA & al. (1989) reported that the yield from in vitro-propagated
plants was significantly higher than that from sucker-derived plants in Lacatan banana
(AAA), but the reverse was the case in Bungulan banana. DIRK & ORTIZ (1996) reported
that in-vitro propagated Musa plants grew faster but the yield was not significantly different
from that of the sucker-derived plants.FHIA-01 hybrid banana is one of the breakthroughs in Musa international breeding programmes against the devastating fungal disease black sigatoka leaf spot (Mycosphaeralla fijiensis Morelet).