Dessert Banana Plant Named “SH-4199”

Latin name of the genus and species of the plant claimed: This tetraploid plant has only Musa acuminata in its pedigree. This tetraploid hybrid is the product of an inter-specific cross between one diploid (AA) and two triploid (AAA) cultivars. Its Latin name is M. acuminata group (AAAA), representing four genomes of the M. acuminata.

Variety denomination: ‘SH-4199’.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a new and distinctive hybrid banana plant variety named ‘SH-4199’. This new hybrid variety was the result of a field cross performed in 2016 in La Lima Cortés, Honduras, between ‘SH-4168’ x ‘SH-3142’ (Both unpatented). The female parent ‘SH-4168’ is a medium triploid plant (AAA) “Cavendish type” tolerant to Black Sigatoka leaf spot disease ( Mycosphaerella fijiensis ), developed from accessions and breeding lines a germplasm bank. The pedigree of ‘SH-4168’ is ‘ITC-570’ (‘Williams’) x ‘Novak’, both belonging to the Cavendish group.

The male parent, ‘SH-3142’, is diploid (AA), resistant to burrowing nematodes ( Radopholus similis ), Sigatoka leaf disease ( Mycosphaerella fijiensis ), and Fusarium wilt ( Fusarium oxysporum f . sp. cubense Race 1 and 4). The pedigree of ‘SH-3142’ is ‘AVP-357’ and ‘II-30’→‘III-133’ x ‘SH-77’→‘SH-1734’ x ‘II-155’→‘SH-3142’. ‘AVP-357’ is a Musa acuminata subsp. malaccensis diploid (AA) from the two original parental lines, and the ‘II-30’ is a Musa acuminata subsp. errans diploid (AA).

‘SH-4199’ was selected in 2018 from several first-generation seedlings from the cross between ‘SH-4168’ and ‘SH-3142’. It was chosen as a tetraploid hybrid maintaining the “Cavendish type” stature and taste of its female parental line and producing bunches of 20 kilograms with fruits of the same quality as the mother ‘SH-4168’. Furthermore, it presents the black Sigatoka leaf spot disease ( Mycosphaerella fijiensis ) resistance of his ‘SH-3142’ male parental line. ‘SH-4199’ 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 hybrid ‘SH-4199’ has many similarities with its mother, ‘SH-4168’. These similarities include the plant's size, the shape of the cluster, the distribution of the leaves, the shape of the fingers, and the flavor. However, ‘SH-4199’ is more resistant to black Sigatoka ( Mycosphaerella fijiensis ) than ‘SH-4168’. It is possible that ‘SH-4199’ inherited this resistance from its parent ‘SH-3142’, which is a tall plant with a large bunch and an unpleasant flavor and is very different from ‘SH-4199’. ‘SH-4199’ differs from commercial varieties such as ‘Grand Naine’ or ‘Williams’ in fruit taste and bunch size. Compared to ‘Grand Naine’ or ‘Williams’, ‘SH-4199’ may not have the same commercial value, but it has the potential to contribute to the development of better varieties.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

‘SH-4199’ is a hybrid dessert banana variety with a dwarf stature, is resistant to black Sigatoka, and produces high-quality fruit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The figures describe the characteristics of the ‘SH-4199’ hybrid banana variety. 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 at ten (10) months old;

FIG. 2 A-B show blotches of the petiole base (A) and a petiole canal (B);

FIG. 3 A-C shows the shape of a leaf blade base (A) and leaf upper (B) and lower (C) surfaces;

FIG. 4 A-B shows water suckers (A) and leaves without blotches (B);

FIG. 5 shows a typical fruit bunch;

FIG. 6 shows a male bud;

FIG. 7 A-C shows bracts of male buds;

FIG. 8 A-C shows compound tepals (A and B) and free tepals (C) lobes;

FIG. 9 A-B shows the style shape (A) and an ovary (B);

FIG. 10 shows a male flower;

FIG. 11 shows rowed ovules; and

FIG. 12 shows a typical second hand.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The following is a detailed botanical description of the new variety ‘SH-4199’. The report is from plants located in La Lima, Cortés, Honduras that were evaluated in 2023. The descriptions concord with the internationally standardized “Descriptors for Banana ( Musa spp.)” elaborated by IPGRI-INIBAP/CIRAD, 1996, and the U.K's Royal Horticultural Society's Colour Chart, 2001. The ‘SH-4199’ plant and its fruit may vary slightly from the detailed descriptors shown below due to cultural practices, soil types, and climatic conditions under which the variety may be cultivated.

Leaf habit Intermediate

Dwarfism Dwarf type

Pseudostem length 2.02 m

Pseudostem diameter 67 cm

Pseudostem height 2.1 to 2.9 meters

Pseudostem aspect Robust

Pseudostem color Yellow-Green (146D, RHS)

Pseudostem appearance Shiny (Not waxy)

The predominant underlying color Greyed-red (179D, RHS)

of the pseudostem

Pigmentation of the underlying Greyed-Red (180A, RHS)

pseudostem

Sap color Milky (4D, RHS)

Wax-on leaf sheaths Very few waxes

Number of suckers 3-4

Development of suckers >¼ and <¾ of the height of

the parent plant

Position of suckers Close to parent (vertical growth)

Blotches at the petiole base Extensive pigmentation

Blotches color Greyed-Brown (N199A, RHS)

Petiole canal leaf III Straight 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 cm

Leaf blade length 221 to 260 cm

Leaf blade width 81 to 90 cm

Petiole length 51 to 70 cm

Color of the leaf's upper Surface Green (136A, RHS)

Appearance of leaf upper surface Dull

Color of the leaf's lower surface Green (N138B, RHS)

The appearance of the leaf lower Dull

surface

Wax on leaves Very wax

The insertion point of the leaf Asymmetric

blade on the petiole

The shape of the leaf blade base One side is rounded, one-pointed.

Leaf corrugation Very corrugated

Color of midrib dorsal surface Green (141C, RHS)

Color of midrib ventral surface Yellow-green (144B, RHS)

Color of cigar leaf dorsal surface Green (139B, RHS)

Blotches on leaves of water Without blotches

suckers

Peduncle length 61-70 cm

Empty nodes on the peduncle Two or more

Peduncle width 7-12 cm

Peduncle color Green (136B, RHS)

Peduncle hairiness Very hairy, short hairs (similar to

velvet touch)

Bunch length 66 cm

Bunch diameter 77 cm

Number of hands per bunch 12

Bunch position Hanging vertically

Bunch shape Truncated cone shape

Bunch appearance Very Compact

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 Ovoid

Male bud size 21 to 30 cm

Bract base shape Large shoulder

Bract apex shape Intermediate

Bract imbrication Young bracts considerably

overlap

Color of the bract external face Purple (N79A, RHS)

Color of the bract internal ace Greyed-Red (181A, RHS)

Color of the bract apex Tinted with yellow (discolored)

(17A, RHS)

Color stripes on the bract Without discolored lines (not

ridges)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 homogenous

Male bract shape Ovate

Male bract lifting Lifting one at a time

Bract behavior before falling Revolute (Rolling)

Wax on the bract Moderately wax

Presence of grooves on the bract Strongly grooved

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 Yellow-orange (17B, RHS)

Lobe development of compound Developed

tepal

Free tepal color Translucent White (155D, HRS)

Free tepal shape Oval

Free tepal appearance Several folding under apex

(corrugated)

Free tepal apex development Developed

Free tepal apex shape Triangular

Anther exertion Inserted

Filament color Yellow-Green (150D, RHS)

Anther color Yellow-Green (150D, RHS)

Pollen sacs color Yellow-Orange (16B, RHS)

Pollen vitality Abundant

Style basic color Yellow (4D, RHS)

Pigmentation on style Without pigmentation

Style exertion Inserted

Style shape Straight

Stigma color Yellow-Orange (17D, RHS)

Ovary shape Arched

Ovary basic color Yellow (4D, RHS)

Ovary pigmentation Very few or no visible signs of

pigmentation

The dominant color of male flower White 155C, RHS)

Irregular flowers Absent

Arrangement of ovules Two rowed

Fruit position Parallel to the stalk

Number of fruits 17-21

Fruit length 16-20 cm

Fruit width 2-3 cm

Fruit shape (longitudinal curvature) Straight (or slightly curved)

Color of the flesh of the fruit Creamy (8D, RHS)

Longitudinal ridges of the fruit weak

Transverse section of fruit Slightly ridged

Fruit apex Bottle-necked

Remains of flower relicts at the Persistent style

fruit apex

Fruit pedicel length 21-23 mm

Fruit pedicel width 10-12 mm

Pedicel surface Hairless

Fusion of pedicel Very partially or no visible sign

of fusion

Immature fruit peel color Green (139C, RHS)

Mature fruit peel color Yellow-orange (15B, RHS)

Fruit peel thickness 1.5-2 mm

Adherence to the fruit peel Fruit peels easily

Cracks in fruit peel Without Cracks

Pulp in fruit With pulp

Pulp color before maturity White (155A, RHS)

Pulp color at maturity White (155A, RHS)

Fruits fall from hands. Persistent

Flesh texture Firm

Predominant taste Sweet

Presence of seed with the source Without seeds

of pollen

Seed surface Without seeds

Seed shape Without seeds

Growth habit of the plant Upright