Jean-Pierre Horry

Multidisciplinary perspectives on banana (Musa spp.) domestication

Original multidisciplinary research hereby clarifies the complex geodomestication pathways that generated the vast range of banana cultivars (cvs). Genetic analyses identify the wild ancestors of modern-day cvs and elucidate several key stages of domestication for different cv groups. Archaeology and linguistics shed light on the historical roles of people in the movement and cultivation of bananas from New Guinea to West Africa during the Holocene. The historical reconstruction of domestication processes is essential for breeding programs seeking to diversify and improve banana cvs for the future.

A molecular marker-based linkage map of diploid bananas (Musa acuminata).

A partial molecular linkage map of the Musa acuminata diploid genome is presented. This map is based on 58 RFLP, four isozyme and 28 RAPD markers segregating in an F2 population of 92 individuals. A total of 90 loci was detected, 77 of which were placed on 15 linkage groups while 13 segregated independently. Segregation distortions were shown by 36% of all loci, mostly favoring the male parent. Chromosome structural rearrangements were believed to be one of the main causes of these distortions. The use of genetic linkage data to further the genetic and evolutionary knowledge of the genus Musa, as well as to help improve the design of breeding strategies, is discussed.

Maternal inheritance of chloroplast genome and paternal inheritance of mitochondrial genome in bananas (Musa acuminata)

Restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) were used as markers to determine the transmission of cytoplasmic DNA in diploid banana crosses. Progenies from two controlled crosses were studied with heterologous cytoplastmic probes. This analysis provided evidence for a strong bias towards maternal transmission of chloroplast DNA and paternal transmission of mitochondrial DNA in Musa acuminata. These results suggest the existence of two separate mechanisms of organelle transmission and selection, but no model to explain this can be proposed at the present time. Knowledge of the organelle mode of inheritance constitutes an important point for phylogeny analyses in bananas and may offer a powerful tool to confirm hybrid origins.

Genetic improvement of banana

World production of bananas, estimated at 106 million tons (Lescot 2006), ranks fourth in agricultural production. Bananas make up the largest production of fruits and the largest international trade, more than apple, orange, grape and melon. Bananas are cultivated in more than 120 countries in tropical and subtropical zones on 5 continents. Banana products represent an essential food resource and have an important socioeconomic and ecological role. Current varieties are generally seedless triploid clones either of the single genome A from the species Musa acuminata (group AAA) or of both genomes A and B from species M. acuminata and Musa balbisiana (groups AAB and ABB). More rarely, diploid varieties (AA and AB) and tetraploid clones are encountered. There are two major channels of banana production: those cultivated for export and those reserved for local markets. The main banana varieties cultivated for export, known as ‘Grande Naine’, ‘Poyo’ and ‘Williams’, belong to the monospecific triploid bananas (AAA) of the Cavendish sub-group. They differ from each other only in somatic mutations such as plant height or bunch and fruit shape. Their production relies on an intensive monoculture of the agro-industrial type, without rotation, and a high quantity of inputs. Banana cultivation for local consumption is based on a large number of varieties adapted to different conditions of production as well as the varied uses and tastes of consumers. Diploid bananas, close to the ancestral wild forms, are still cultivated in Southeast Asia. In other regions, triploid clones belonging to different sub-groups – Plantain, Silk, Lujugira, Gros Michel, Pisang Awak – are the most widely distributed. Bananas have many uses. They are not only consumed as fresh fruits but also cooked, like plantains. They are processed in various ways, into chips, fries, fritters,

Diploid ancestors of triploid export banana cultivars: molecular identification of 2n restitution gamete donors and n gamete donors

The origin of triploid export banana cultivars was investigated. They all belong to Cavendish and Gros Michel subgroups of triploid clones and have a monospecific Musa acuminata origin. The appearance of these cultivars is thought to be result of hybridization between partially sterile diploid cultivars producing non reduced gametes and fertile diploids producing normal haploid gametes. To trace these diploid ancestors we compared the RFLP patterns, revealed by 36 probe/enzyme combinations, of 176 diploid clones representing the worldwide available variability with that of clones from the Cavendish and Gros Michel subgroups. This lead us to the identification of the common putative diploid ancestor of cultivars from Cavendish and Gros Michel subgroups which contributed to triploid cultivar formation through the production of 2n restitution gametes. For cultivars of Gros Michel subgroup we also propose a normal gamete donor that may have complemented the triploid allele set.

Polyphenol Oxidase and Peroxidase Expression in Four Pineapple Varieties (Ananas comosus L.) after a Chilling Injury

Pineapple internal browning (IB) is a chilling injury that produces enzymatic browning associated with flesh translucency. Pineapple biodiversity allowed the investigation of how polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and peroxidase (POD) activities with their different isoforms are involved in the IB mechanism. Fruits of four varieties that expressed IB symptoms differently, Smooth Cayenne (SCay) and the hybrids MD2, Flhoran 41 (Flh 41), and Flhoran 53 (Flh 53), were stressed by cold. The susceptible varieties showed classical brown spots but different patterns of IB, whereas MD2 and controls showed no IB. Enzymatic activities were measured on fruit protein extracts and PPO and POD isoforms separated on mini-gels (PhastSystem). Only PPO activity was significantly enhanced in the presence of IB. Up to six PPO isoforms were identified in the susceptible varieties. PPO was barely detectable in the nonsusceptible variety MD2 and in controls. The number of PPO isoforms and the total PPO activity after chilling are varietal characteristics.

Evolution and challenges of varietal improvement strategies

Agricultural production and supply chains are facing major challenges in the form of increasing demand for food products, a diversified use of agricultural products including for non-food purposes, ecologically intensive agriculture, and the necessity of taking climate change into account. The creation and adoption of new varieties that are productive, diversified, better adapted, and more environmentally friendly can help cropping systems that seek to address these issues become more efficient. Plant breeding efforts must anticipate the needs of the end users and adapt to very different agri-chains, illustrated in this chapter by two examples: first, an agri-chain that is highly structured around targeted export products, for example, the dessert banana, which requires ideotypes that meet the requirements of production and marketing systems; and second, an emerging agri-chain for multi-use sorghum, characterized by new production objectives of increased energy potential and production of biomaterials, sometimes without compromising with the requirement of high grain yields. To meet the objectives and the sustainability of agri-chains, research into genetic improvement must propose new approaches, new tools, and innovative breeding methods. The objectives, and sometimes the entire breeding process, are shared with all the actors, especially the end users, as part of an enhanced partnership within agri-chains. The breeding strategy also depends on ease of access, better use of available and useful genetic resources, in-depth knowledge of the structure and diversity of these resources, genetic determinism of desirable traits, and pre-breeding approaches. All these scientific and partnership innovations ensure the necessary responsiveness to support the execution of current breeding processes and the identification of new varieties that meet current and future uses and services.