Traits that define yield and genetic gain in East African highland banana breeding

Abstract East African highland bananas ( Musa spp. AAA group) are an important staple in the Great Lakes region of Africa. Their production has declined due to pests and diseases. Breeding for host plant resistance is a sustainable option addressing this challenge. Understanding relationships between growth parameters bunch weight (i.e., yield) crucial guide breeding efforts crop. We investigated cause-effect relationships, through path analysis, banana derived hybrids, their parents grandparents. These family structures were planted 7 × 8 rectangular lattice design, replicated twice. Genetic gains (kg −1 ) yield potential (t ha year estimated. Significant increases noted from landrace triploid germplasm, primary tetraploid hybrids secondary bred-germplasm. Path analysis revealed that fruit length, circumference number, number hands cycle had direct positive effect on weight. Days filling, days maturity index non-spotted leaves indirect effects The average genetic 1.4% 1.3% per year, respectively. This first report about breeding. Our findings may be useful assessing progress directing future