“CC 45” (CHINESE CAVENDISH SELECTION) – code 45/16

Main ratoon characteristics of CC 45 in relation to standard Grand Nain and Williams in South Africa. (see notes)

Morphological Characteristics "CC 45 "
(mean of 2 ratoons) 		Grand Nain
(mean of 2 ratoons) 		Williams
(mean of 2 ratoons)
Plant height (m) 3.15 3.30 3.40
Bunch Mass (kg) 43.0 43.0 40.5
Hands / bunch 13.0 12.5 12.8
Average cycle time (mths) 11.5 12.6 13.4
Plant density = 1666 plants/ha
Main characteristics of “CC45”
  1. A productive but shorter selection (5% shorter than standard Grand Nain).
  2. Good productivity in relation to height (bunch weight similar to standard Grand Nain).
  3. Short cycling selection (1 month shorter than standard Grand Nain). This is in part due to the warmer conditions at Letsitele where the elite selections were first evaluated, and in part due to the fact that Chinese Cavendish is a short-cycling cultivar.
  4. A good selection to choose for high productivity but with easier bunch management.
  5. Chinese Cavendish selections need optimal conditions of climate, soil and management to perform at their best.
  6. Bunches need good propping in the field due to more flexible pseudostems.
  7. In an independent trial in Cameroon conducted over 3 cycles by CARBAP Research Station, CC 45 yielded higher than the Grand Nain selections which are all taller in height. The CC 45 was specially recommended by CARBAP.
NOTES:
• Standard Grand Nain and Williams data were obtained from a long term cultivar trial using unimproved sucker planting material of these cultivars at a Government Research Station (Kiepersol), under optimal growth and management conditions. Data are thus not strictly comparable (only indicative).
     
• The main characteristics described are extrapolated from several trial sites in local RSA conditions. Results in tropical conditions will be somewhat different (independent trials conducted in Cameroon have been very promising for CC 45). Note there may be considerable differences in the performance of this selection from country to country and from site to site.