S21 - Session O4 - Agronomic and organoleptic performance of organically produced provitamin A rich bananas for introduction into farming and diet systems of Burundi and Democratic Republic of Congo

Authors: Beatrice Ekesa *, Alice Simbare, Muller Kamira, Charles Sivirihauma, Mpoki Shimwela, Deborah Nabuuma43% reported in Burundi and DRC, the diversity in banana with focus on incorporating pVACs-rich bananas within farming and diet systems of rural populations is a promising strategy to addressing VAD. This study evaluated the agronomic and organoleptic performance of six pVACs-rich banana cultivars originally from outside Burundi and Eastern DRC. Six trial sites were purposively selected from different agroecological zones and in each 8 pVACs-rich bananas alongside local cultivars of similar genomic group as checks planted. Only farmyard manure and mulch from plant materials were applied on the fields. For agronomy, data were collected on banana growth at flowering stage and yield at harvest over three cropping cycles and using standard variables. For organoleptic evaluation, 450 panellists drawn from target communities and appropriately trained, tested and rated the banana products using a 5-point hedonic scale. Results of growth and yield parameters showed a significant interaction between the sites and cultivars (P<0.05). Banana cultivar yield was also influenced by the combined effect of bunch weight and crop cycle duration. The most promising cultivars in terms of yield were 'Apantu-AAB', 'Lahi-AAB', 'Lai- AA', 'Bira-AAB' and 'Pelipita-ABB' across all sites and crop cycles. In all three sites and for all cultivars, there was a significant correlation between the scores for texture in the mouth, taste and scores for overall acceptability and the most preferred banana cultivars organoleptically were Apantu, Bira, Lahi, Pelipita and To'o. Except for To'o, that despite having a deep orange pulp color, sweet taste and short growth cycle, a similarity in ranking was observed between the agronomically and organoleptically viable banana cultivars. To'o bunch was significantly small compared to local cultivars. These evaluations provide hard evidence of the high potential for adoption of the most promising cultivars by the local community members to boost (pro) vitamin A consumption and effectively eliminate VAD.