'J.D. Dwarf': a superior Cavendish cultivar?

Abstract

Efforts have been underway for several years to find a replacement for the Cavendish cultivars that would have equivalent features but would be less dependent on pesticides. In 1988, the Queensland Department of Primary Industries (QDPI) came up with a variety, 'J.D. Dwarf', which may be of interest to smallholders around the world. 'J.D. Dwarf' is less prone to maturity staining, less sensitive to chilling in the field, more wind resistant, easier to pack, more stable in tissue culture than the 'Williams' cultivar grown in Australia, but it is more susceptible to bacterial corm rot caused by Erwinia spp. and its upright leaves hamper ground applications of fungicides. Since each variety has its own set of advantages and disadvantages, the adoption of 'J.D. Dwarf' will depend on local circumstances.