Nagaland University Identifies Climate-Resilient Traits in Wild Sikkim Banana

Researchers at Nagaland University have identified significant genetic diversity in Musa sikkimensis, a wild banana species native to the Eastern Himalayas, highlighting its potential for climate resilience in banana breeding. The species, known as the Darjeeling or Sikkim banana, offers traits like disease resistance and stress tolerance crucial amid climate change. The study, published in Flora and Fauna, emphasizes conserving local wild genotypes threatened by deforestation and shifts to hybrid varieties, despite challenges in accessing remote areas.