Our Varieties
Du Roi Laboratory produce Cavendish, sub-group of the Musa AAA genome, dessert banana plants of the following varieties:
Williams
- Williams was imported from Australia, and released in South Africa mainly to eliminate the problem of choke throat in cold winters
- Typical bunch characteristics are:
- Cylindrical bunch shape
- No compaction of hands
- Longer straight fingers
- Higher pack out of extra-large fruit from each bunch
- Williams has a distinct advantage in that it is more resilient than its main rival, Grand Nain, and performs better than Grand Nain when soil and/or climatic conditions are sub-optimal or extreme
Grand Nain
- In the 1980’s and early 1990’s, the Cavendish cultivar Grand Nain was imported to South Africa from Central America
- Cycle time and plant height of Grand Nain is shorter than Williams
- Typical bunch characteristics are:
- Bunches are slightly heavier
- Fingers are a good size and slightly curved
- Grand Nain is generally regarded as the most widely-grown Cavendish dessert cultivar in both tropical and subtropical localities
Du Roi Laboratory have their own elite single clone varieties, selected and evaluated by Dr John Robinson.
Asdia
- Du Roi has worked for 7 years improving the production characteristics of Williams and Asdia is a horticulturally-superior selection of this cultivar, obtainable exclusively from Du Roi laboratory
- Advantages of Asdia over Williams:
- 10% shorter plant
- Bunch sizes easier to manage
- Bunch conformation and finger length conserved
- Cycle time 1-2 months shorter
- Ideal selection for high yield/annum, good fruit quality and ease of management, in both sub-tropical and tropical environments
Nandi
- Nandi is a single clone, elite Du Roi selection of Grand Nain
- Advantages of Nandi over Grand Nain:
- 5% shorter plant
- Higher yielding bunches
- Cycle time up to 1 month shorter
- An ideal selection for maximum yields and quality where soil and management conditions are optimal
Grand Negra
- Grand Negra is a single clone, elite Du Roi selection
- Characteristics of Grand Negra:
- Tall, vigorous selection
- Big bunches with long peduncles making bunch more accessible
- A longer cycling selection
- Very stable in the soil under windy conditions
- A good selection for maximum yields and quality where soil and management conditions are optimal
Chico
- Chico is a Du Roi improved, high-yielding clone of Chinese Cavendish
- Characteristics of Chico are:
- Cylindrical bunch shape
- Shorter plant than Grand Nain, but with similar productivity
- Short cycling selection boosting the annual yield potential
- Should be planted under optimal conditions of climate, soil and management
Delta
- Delta is a Du Roi selected clone of Dwarf Cavendish
- Characteristics of Delta are:
- Cylindrical bunch shape
- Taller and higher yielding than standard Dwarf Cavendish
- More tolerant to choke-throat than standard Dwarf Cavendish
- Sturdy thick pseudostem may not require propping
- Short cycling selection
- Easily managed and more tolerant to windy conditions
- Suitable selection for centre pivot irrigation systems