Dessert Banana Plant Named ‘WH02’

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. 2 A-B shows blotches at the petiole base (A) and a petiole canal leaf (B);

FIG. 3 A-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. 7 A-C shows bracts of a male bud;

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

FIG. 9 A-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