Bita-3 (TMBX 5295-1):

Type of material: Hybrid

ITC number:1297 (this variety is recorded as a Bita in the literature but is actually a Pita)

Tolerance to pests and diseases:

This variety has been only recently introduced in the region and no incidence of pests and diseases has been recorded up to now.


General acceptance and performance:

During palatability tests, farmers appreciated the variety as a cooking type (89 %) and as a ripe banana (6%). Note that only a few leaves remain intact at harvesting time.

The average bunch weight is 24 Kg with a minimum and maximum recorded weight of 5 and 52 Kg, respectively (see graph - 46 bunches harvested).


Direct and indirect diffusion:

Bita-3 has been introduced first in the region by KCDP in 1999. A total of 954 in-vitro plants have been received from KULeuven until December 2001. 3 plants have been directly diffused so far and farmers are demanding planting material for on-farm evaluation.