New studies to improve banana strains
Published: 02:06 PM,Jun 02,2021 | EDITED : 08:06 PM,Jun 02,2021
Agricultural and animal research represents the progress and development of agriculture, both in plant and animal areas, as this sector received great attention in the Sultanate, which contributed to the improvement of agricultural and livestock production.
The General Directorate of Agricultural Research and Livestock in Al Rumais, Barka of the Ministry of Agricultural, Fisheries and Water Resources implemented some research projects through major programmes based on the research strategy developed following government directives in the fields of agricultural and animal research.
Banana crop is one of the important crops, as it ranks second after palm trees in the areas planted with fruit trees in the Sultanate, and there are many vital and abiotic factors caused by climate changes, hurricanes and drought, in addition to salinity and groundwater depletion.
The Agricultural Research Centre has studied all the local banana strains available in the Sultanate to preserve them from extinction. Local banana varieties were surveyed in the Sultanate, covering different geographical areas, such as the Governorate of Dhofar, North and South Al Sharqiyah, Al Dakhiliyah, Al Dhahirah, Musandam and Al Buraimi, in cooperation with specialists in the Agricultural Development Department. Banana strains and their local names were collected and used by farmers, in addition to collecting field phenotypic data, which includes vegetative and fruiting growth data.
Until the end of 2019, (235) shoot of bananas were collected from (6) governorates representing about (97) strains, where there are (44) strains in the Governorate of Dhofar, which is the highest from the rest of the governorates in the number of strains, followed by the governorates of North and South Al Sharqiyah with (24), and Al Dakhiliyah with (13) strains, (6) strains from Muscat Governorate, (5) strains from Al Dhahirah Governorate and (5) strains from Musandam Governorate. The centre preserved these strains under greenhouse conditions until they were ready to be planted in the field genetic bank at Sohar Agricultural Research Station. The next phase of the study will include the collection and characterisation of banana varieties from the North and South Al Batinah Governorates, in addition to the phenotypic and genetic characterisation of the banana strains collected from the surveys. The Directorate General of Agricultural and Animal Research continues to conduct various research and studies related to crops to increase their production, and to conduct soil and water research and plant nutrition. It works to diversify vegetable cultivation and control of agricultural pests using modern technologies, and to use biotechnology agriculture, as well as to conduct research, preserve and manufacture agricultural products, improve, protect and increase Production of local breeds of goats, lamb and cows. .
The General Directorate of Agricultural Research and Livestock in Al Rumais, Barka of the Ministry of Agricultural, Fisheries and Water Resources implemented some research projects through major programmes based on the research strategy developed following government directives in the fields of agricultural and animal research.
Banana crop is one of the important crops, as it ranks second after palm trees in the areas planted with fruit trees in the Sultanate, and there are many vital and abiotic factors caused by climate changes, hurricanes and drought, in addition to salinity and groundwater depletion.
The Agricultural Research Centre has studied all the local banana strains available in the Sultanate to preserve them from extinction. Local banana varieties were surveyed in the Sultanate, covering different geographical areas, such as the Governorate of Dhofar, North and South Al Sharqiyah, Al Dakhiliyah, Al Dhahirah, Musandam and Al Buraimi, in cooperation with specialists in the Agricultural Development Department. Banana strains and their local names were collected and used by farmers, in addition to collecting field phenotypic data, which includes vegetative and fruiting growth data.
Until the end of 2019, (235) shoot of bananas were collected from (6) governorates representing about (97) strains, where there are (44) strains in the Governorate of Dhofar, which is the highest from the rest of the governorates in the number of strains, followed by the governorates of North and South Al Sharqiyah with (24), and Al Dakhiliyah with (13) strains, (6) strains from Muscat Governorate, (5) strains from Al Dhahirah Governorate and (5) strains from Musandam Governorate. The centre preserved these strains under greenhouse conditions until they were ready to be planted in the field genetic bank at Sohar Agricultural Research Station. The next phase of the study will include the collection and characterisation of banana varieties from the North and South Al Batinah Governorates, in addition to the phenotypic and genetic characterisation of the banana strains collected from the surveys. The Directorate General of Agricultural and Animal Research continues to conduct various research and studies related to crops to increase their production, and to conduct soil and water research and plant nutrition. It works to diversify vegetable cultivation and control of agricultural pests using modern technologies, and to use biotechnology agriculture, as well as to conduct research, preserve and manufacture agricultural products, improve, protect and increase Production of local breeds of goats, lamb and cows. .