Banana musa Indandamanensis
( UPSC Prelims)
News Context
A 4.2-metre infructescence has been documented in the wild banana species Musa indandamanensis, marking it as the longest infructescence ever recorded in bananas.
Infructescence refers to a cluster of fruits organized along an axis or stem, which consists of a main stalk and often features a complex arrangement of branches.
Discovery: This was first noted in 2012 in a remote tropical forest near the Krishna Nala reserve forest in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Characteristics: The species is distinguished by its unique green flowers and a fruit bunch lux (axis) that is three times the size of regular banana species, reaching a height of 11 metres, compared to the usual 3-4 metres for typical banana species.
Benefits: It serves as a natural genetic resource for plant breeders aiming to develop high-yielding and disease-resistant varieties.