Dessert Banana Plant Named ‘HG07’

Latin name of the genus and species of the plant claimed: Musa acuminata.

Variety denomination: ‘HG07.’

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’” (patent application Ser. No. 18/469,772), “DESSERT BANANA PLANT NAMED ‘WW01’” (patent application Ser. No. 18/469,766), “DESSERT BANANA PLANT NAMED ‘NW02’” (patent application Ser. No. 18/469,776), and “DESSERT BANANA PLANT NAMED ‘WH02’” (patent application Ser. No. 18/469,781). 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

This invention relates to a new and distinctive hybrid banana variety named ‘HG07’. This new hybrid variety was the result of a field cross performed in La Lima Cortés, Honduras, between ‘HG’ x ‘HG’ (Both unpatented). ‘HG’ is a triploid plant (AAA) susceptible to Black Sigatoka leaf spot disease and Fusarium oxysporum race 1, belonging to the Gros Michel group. ‘HG’ is a mutant of Gros Michel used in genetic improvement to generate tetraploid mothers; varieties of the Cavendish group replaced this variety due to its susceptibility to fusariosis. In the 20 th century, it was one of the world's most commercialized fruits due to its excellent taste and yield.

‘HG07’ is a tetraploid hybrid (AAAA) 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 ‘HG’ x ‘HG’. It was chosen as a tetraploid hybrid maintaining the “Gros Michel” type stature and taste of its female parental line and producing bunches of 25 kilograms with fruits of the same quality as their parents. ‘HG07’ was asexually reproduced by corms in La Lima Cortes, Honduras. All plants and fruit run true to the initially selected plant and are identical in all aspects.

‘HG07’ is a selection of crosses made between plants of the “HG” variety, inheriting its flavor, cluster shape, and plant structure. The few differences between ‘HG07’ and its parents can be seen in the shape of the fruit, which is slightly smaller and has shorter fingers. Another important difference is the fertility when used as a mother; ‘HG07’ is more fertile than its ‘HG’ parents. The other characteristics are very similar between ‘HG07’ and its ‘HG’ parents.

When comparing ‘HG07’ with a commercial cultivar such as ‘Grand Naine’ or ‘Williams’, we can say that there are important characteristic differences such as: the size of the plant, which is superior in ‘HG07’; the flavor of commercial varieties is simpler than that of ‘HG07’; the commercial varieties and ‘HG07’ have equal susceptibility to diseases such as Black Sigatoka; and commercial varieties are resistant to Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. cubense Race 1, while ‘HG07’ is susceptible.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

‘HG07’ 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 ‘HG07’ 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 nine months old;

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

FIGS. 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 usual fruit bunch;

FIG. 6 shows a male bud;

FIGS. 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

The following is a detailed botanical description of the new variety ‘HG07’ at nine months old. 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 (R.H.S.) Colour Chart, 2001. The ‘HG07’ plant and its fruit may differ slightly from the detailed descriptors shown below due to variations in cultural practices, soil types, and climatic conditions under which the variety may be cultivated.

TABLE 1

Botanical Description of ‘HG07’

Leaf habit Intermediate

Dwarfism Normal

Pseudostem height ≥3 (3.2) meters

Pseudostem aspect Normal

Pseudostem color Yellow-Green (N144C,

RHS)

Pseudostem appearance Shiny (not waxy)

The predominant underlying Blue-Green (112D, RHS)

color of the pseudostem

Pigmentation of the underlying Red (46A, RHS)

pseudostem

Sap color Watery (White 155C RHS)

Wax-on leaf sheaths Very Little or no visible

sign of wax

Number of suckers 5

Development of suckers Very good

Position of suckers Close to parent (vertical

growth)

Blotches at the petiole base Extensive pigmentation

Blotches color Brown (N200A, RHS)

Petiole canal leaf III Wide with erect margins

Petiole margins Winged and clasping the

pseudostem

Wing type Dry, short wings

Petiole margin color Purple (77A, RHS)

Edge of petiole margin Colourless (Without a

color line along)

Petiole margin width >1 cm

Leaf blade length 171 to 220 cm

Leaf blade width 71 to 80 cm

Petiole length ≤50 cm

Color of the leaf's upper Surface Green (137B, RHS)

Appearance of leaf upper surface Shiny

Color of the leaf's lower surface Yellow-Green (147B, RHS)

The appearance of the Dull

leaf's lower surface

Wax on leaves Very Little or no visible

sign of wax

The insertion point of the Symmetric

leaf blade on the petiole

The shape of the leaf blade base Both sides rounded

Leaf corrugation Even, smooth

Venation pattern Single centralized

Color of midrib dorsal surface Yellow-Green (144B, RHS)

Color of midrib ventral surface Green-White (157A, RHS)

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

Blotches on leaves of water Without blotches

suckers

Peduncle length 31-60 cm

Empty nodes on the peduncle Two or more

Peduncle width 7-12 cm

Peduncle color Yellow-Green (144A, RHS)

Peduncle hairiness Slightly hairy

Bunch position Hanging vertically

Bunch shape Truncated cone shape

Bunch appearance Compact

Flowers that form the fruit Female

Fruits Biseriate

Rachis type Present and male buds may

be degenerated or persistent.

Rachis position Failing vertically

Rachis appearance Bare

Male bud type Normal (present)

Male bud shape Intermediate

Male bud size 25-30 cm

Bract base shape Large shoulder

Bract apex shape Slightly Pointed

Bract imbrication Old bracts overlap at the

apex of the bud.

Color of the bract external face Greyed-Purple (187A, RHS)

Color of the bract internal face Greyed-Purple (185A, RHS)

Color of the bract apex No tinted with yellow (the

color is uniform until apex)

Color stripes on the bract Without discolored lines (not

ridges) on the external face

Bract scars on rachis Very prominent

Fading of color on bract base Color discontinuing towards

the base.

Male bract shape Ovate

Male bract lifting Lifting two or more at a time

Bract behavior before falling Revolute (Rolling)

Wax on the bract Moderately waxy

Presence of grooves on the bract Moderate

Male flower behavior Falling before the bract

Compound tepal basic color Green-White (157D, RHS)

Compound tepal pigmentation Rust-colored spots

Lobe color of compound tepal Yellow (7B, RHS)

Lobe development of com- Developed

pound tepal

Free tepal color Translucent White

Free tepal shape Oval

Free tepal appearance Simple folding under the apex

Free tepal apex development Developed

Free tepal apex shape Triangular

Anther exertion Exerted

Filament color Greyed-White (156B, RHS)

Anther color Green-White (157C, RHS)

Pollen sacs color Greyed-Green (196D, RHS)

Pollen vitality Abundant

Style basic color Greyed-White (196D, RHS)

Pigmentation on style Without pigmentation

Style exertion Exerted

Style shape Curved at the base

Stigma color Yellow-Orange (20B, RHS)

Ovary shape Arched

Ovary basic color Green-White (157B, RHS)

Ovary pigmentation Very few or no visible signs

of pigmentation

The dominant color of male Green-White (157D, RHS)

flower

Irregular flowers Absent

Arrangement of ovules Two rowed

Fruit position Parallel to the stalk

Number of fruits observed ≥17, specifically between

on the mid-hand of the bunch 120 and 140 fingers per

bunch

Fruit length ≤15 cm (12 to 15 cm)

Fruit diameter 8 to 10 cm

Fruit shape (longitudinal Curved (sharp curve)

curvature)

Transverse section of fruit Pronounced ridged

Fruit apex Bottle-necked

Average weight of a fruit 150 g

Average weight of bunch of fruit 21 kg

Average number of bunches per One

plant

Remains of flower relicts at the Persistent style

fruit apex

Fruit pedicel length 11 to 20 mm

Fruit pedicel width >10 mm

Average fruit pedicel width 5 cm

Pedicel surface Hairy

Fusion of pedicel Very partially or no visible

sign of fusion

Immature fruit peel color Green (143C, RHS)

Mature fruit peel color Yellow-Orange (16B, RHS)

Fruit peel thickness ≥3 (3 to 5) mm

Adherence to the fruit peel Fruit peels easily

Cracks in fruit peel Without Cracks

Pulp in fruit With pulp

Pulp color before maturity Yellow-Green (150D, RHS)

Pulp color at maturity Yellow (13D, RHS)

Fruits fall from hands. No finger drop

Flesh texture Firm (hard texture)

Predominant taste Sweet (like Cavendish)

Presence of seed with the Without seeds

source of pollen