Bananas and Plantains

...an important addition to the shelves of African farmers and anyone else involved with the production and sale of bananas. - African Farming; ...Gowen is a comprehensive and readable book which will serve an an introduction and valuable detailed reference source to the biology of this important crop. - Annals of Botany; This title is a useful, modern addition to the sources of information on bananas and associated crops. It is also to be commended both to individuals and Institutions concerned with the cultivation, breeding and marketing of one of the world's major tropical crops. - Agricultural Science; It is believed that the latest success of gene transformation in banana will open a new area in its cultivation and use, and this book will serve as a very important advanced guide. - Israel Journal of Plant Science

• 1 The origin and development of banana and plantain cultivation.- 2 Systems of cultivation and management.- 3 Molecular markers, genetic diversity and systematic in Musa.- 4 Musa genetics.- 5 Banana and plantain breeding.- 6 In vitro culture of bananas.- 7.I Banana morphology — part I: roots and rhizomes.- 7.II Banana morphology — part II: the aerial shoot.- 8 The response of the plant to the environment.- 9 Soils.- 10 Banana nutrition.- 11 Banana diseases.- 12 Pests.- 13 Harvesting and fruit care.- 14 Ripening and biochemistry of the fruit.- 15 The nutritional value of bananas.- 16 Banana processing.- 17 Banana and plantain in the East African highlands.- 18 The world banana economy.