VNTR-based diversity analysis of 2x and 4x full-sib Musa hybrids

The triploid plantain landrace Obino l'Ewai (Musa spp., AAB genome) has been crossed with a wild diploid banana (M. acuminata subsp. burmannica var. `Calcutta 4', AA genome) to generate full-sib diploid and tetraploid hybrids combining good agronomic performance and disease resistance. Microsatellite marker analysis of the parental genotypes confirmed the highly heterozygous nature of both parental genotypes. Comparative analysis of 2x and 4x full-sib hybrids with their parental genotypes indicated that tetraploid hybrids are generally more closely related to Obino l'Ewai than their diploid full-sibs. Based on VNTR analysis it is possible to identify those hybrids, which may be most useful in subsequent breeding of secondary triploid hybrids. There was a significant (P