Growth and production in the banana (Musa (AA group) "Khuai Khai" by tissue culture banana plant Versus conventional suckers-components

Field trail on growth and yield of 'Khuai Khai' banana plants derived from 9 kinds of planting material, 3 size of suckers, larger size (3-4 kg), medium size (2-3 kg) and smaller size (1-2 kg) and 3 larger size of plant tissue culture (30, 40, 50 cm height) and 3 smaller size of plant tissue culture (9.77, 12.38, 14.10 cm height before transplanted 2.5, 3.0, 3.5 month, respectively.) In all test CRD design was used and the results were analyzed by DMRT. At Packchong Research Station, Packchong, Nakhonratchasima between october 1995-december 1997. Banana height, circumference, leaf area, flowering period and yield of the mother plant. The large suckers, medium suckers and tissue culture plants 50 cm were the best group on growth following with small suckers tissue culture plants 40 and 30 cm. Tissue culture plants 14.10, 12.38 and 9.77 cm showed the least growth. The period of flowering about 7, 8 and 10 months, respectively. The number of leaf could divide into 3 groups:suckers group had 38.71-39.50 leaves and biggest leaf, group of bigger tissue culture plants had 41.22-42.79 leaves and the size of leaves were smaller and group of smaller tissue culture plants showed the smallest, 44.10-44.52 leaves. According to the study on growth, yield and quality of the second ratoon, group of small tissue culture plants showed the best growth, following with group of bigger tissue culture plants and suckers group, respectively. The group of bigger tissue culture plants showed the shortest flowering period and harvesting period, following with group of smaller tissue culture plants and suckers group. The group of smaller tissue culture plants showed highest yield, 155-170 fruits/bunch, 8-9 hands/bunch but the fruits rather smaller and thicker skin than the others. The group of bigger tissue culture plants had 138-143 fruits, 7-8 hands/bunch and bigger fruits. The group of suckers showed lowest yield 103-143 fruits, 6-7 hands/bunch but rather big fruit, so the weight of bunch non-significant among the groups, soluble solid and total acid range between 26-28 percent brix and 0.5-0.7 percent TA. The invesment and return, the cost of tissue culture plant was higher the sucker but tissue culture plant had high yield, uniform and good sucker for the next crop. The period of productivity depended on size of plant and sucker.