Khatta champa – a local banana cultivar

Khatta Champa is a commonly cultivated local cultivar in Andaman and Nicobar Islands. This cultivar belongs to the triploid genomic group AAB. This cultivar is grown as a perennial crop is homesteads. Fruit is slightly acidic, firm and has typical sour -sweet aroma. Fruits turn to attractive golden yellow on ripening. They grow to a height of 2.8 to 3.0 m and is well suited as an intercrop in coconut or arecanut gardens. Bunch weight varies from 12 -15 kg and can be harvested in 14-15 months after planting. The cultivar responds to organic manures and shows positive response to yield. Number of hands per bunch ranges from 11-13 with 14-16 fruits per hand. The average weight of fruit ranges from 70 -80 g and fruit length ranges from 12-14 cm. The bunches of this cultivar are medium sized, closely packed fruits and tolerant to major pest and diseases. This is a table purpose variety and highly preferred by consumers due to its unique aroma.

Benefit:This cultivar is highly suitable to grow as intercrop in plantation based cropping system with good remuneration and is highly preferred by ethnic groups of the Island.

Source :Contact person with Name, Designation e-mail and phone no: Dr. K. Abirami, Senior Scientist, Email: K.Abirami@icar.gov.in, Phone: 9933278631