Phil Rowe’s Legacy: Enabling Sustainable Production with Disease- and Pest-Resistant Hybrids Randy Ploetz University of Florida, Tropical Research & Education Center, Homestead FL USA

International Banana Congress Sustainable Banana Production: Plant Breeding, Food Security, Agronomy, Management and Carbon NeutralitNeutralityy A tribute to Dr. Phillip Rowe Chronology Late 1800s Panama disease begins to decimate export production of ‘Gros Michel’ Chronology Late 1800s Panama disease begins to decimate export production of ‘Gros Michel’ 1922 Banana breeding program begins in Trinidad (Imperial College of Tropical Agriculture) to develop Panama disease-resistant replacement for ‘Gros Michel’; entire program transferred in 1960 to Jamaica (1924) Chronology Late 1800s Panama disease begins to decimate export production of ‘Gros Michel’ 1922 Banana breeding program begins in Trinidad (Imperial College of Tropical Agriculture) to develop Panama disease-resistant replacement for ‘Gros Michel’; transferred in 1960 to Jamaica 1959 Banana breeding program begun in Honduras by United Fruit Company (UFC); 1959-1961, Paul H. Allen and J.J. Ochse lead expeditions to Western Pacific and Southeast Asia to collect banana germplasm

Paul H. Allen Chronology Late 1800s Panama disease begins to decimate export production of ‘Gros Michel’ 1922 Banana breeding program begins in Trinidad (Imperial College of Tropical Agriculture) to develop Panama disease-resistant replacement for ‘Gros Michel’; transferred in 1960 to Jamaica 1959 Banana breeding program begun in Honduras by United Fruit Company (UFC); 1959-1961, Paul Allen and J.J. Ochse lead expeditions to Western Pacific and Southeast Asia to collect banana germplasm 1960s Export trades complete conversion from ‘Gros Michel’ to Cavendish cvs

Ulua Valley Honduras Chronology Late 1800s Panama disease begins to decimate export production of ‘Gros Michel’ 1922 Banana breeding program begins in Trinidad (Imperial College of Tropical Agriculture) to develop Panama disease-resistant replacement for ‘Gros Michel’; transferred in 1960 to Jamaica 1959 Banana breeding program begun in Honduras by United Fruit Company (UFC); 1959-1961, Paul Allen and J.J. Ochse lead expeditions to Western Pacific and Southeast Asia to collect banana germplasm 1960s Export trades complete conversion from ‘Gros Michel’ to Cavendish cvs 1971 Phil Rowe begins career as banana breeder with UFC Chronology Late 1800s Panama disease begins to decimate export production of ‘Gros Michel’ 1922 Banana breeding program begins in Trinidad (Imperial College of Tropical Agriculture) to develop Panama disease-resistant replacement for ‘Gros Michel’; transferred in 1960 to Jamaica 1959 Banana breeding program begun in Honduras by United Fruit Company (UFC); 1959-1961, Paul Allen and J.J. Ochse lead expeditions to Western Pacific and Southeast Asia to collect banana germplasm 1960s Export trades complete conversion from ‘Gros Michel’ to Cavendish cvs 1971 Phil Rowe begins career as banana breeder with UFC What challenges did Phil face as a banana breeder, and what were his accomplishments? Requirements for export ideotype banana (challenges faced by banana breeders) Stover and Simmonds, 1987; Ortiz, Ferris and Vuylsteke, 1995 • Resistance to all races of oxysporum f. sp. cubense Race 1 Race 2

Subtropical race 4 Tropical race 4 Requirements for export ideotype banana (challenges faced by banana breeders) Stover and Simmonds, 1987; Ortiz, Ferris and Vuylsteke, 1995 • Resistance to all races of f. sp. cubense, Sigatoka leafspots Black leafstreak (black Sigatoka) Mycosphaerella fijiensis

(yellow) Sigatoka Mycosphaerella musicola

Mycosphaerella speckle Eumusae leafspot Mhll Mhll Requirements for export ideotype banana (challenges faced by banana breeders) Stover and Simmonds, 1987; Ortiz, Ferris and Vuylsteke, 1995 • Resistance to all races of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense, Sigatoka leafspots and nematodes Radopholus similis Pratylenchus coffeae

Helicotylenchus multicynctus Requirements for export ideotype banana (challenges faced by banana breeders) Stover and Simmonds, 1987; Ortiz, Ferris and Vuylsteke, 1995 • Resistance to all races of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense, Sigatoka leafspots and nematodes • Yield similar to Cavendish cvs, dwarfism and ratooning as for ‘Grand Nain’ • Regulated sucker development • Foliar characteristics and production efficiency not inferior to ‘Grand Nain’ • Long fingers with shape and strengths similar to Cavendish cvs • Acceptable flavor (analogous to Cavendish) • Post-harvest attributes similar to Cavendish Chronology Late 1800s Panama disease begins to decimate export production of ‘Gros Michel’ 1922 Banana breeding program begins in Trinidad (Imperial College of Tropical Agriculture) to develop Panama disease-resistant replacement for ‘Gros Michel’; transferred in 1960 to Jamaica 1959 Banana breeding program begun in Honduras by United Fruit Company (UFC); 1959-1961, Paul Allen and J.J. Ochse lead expeditions to Western Pacific and Southeast Asia to collect banana germplasm 1960s Export trades complete conversion from ‘Gros Michel’ to Cavendish cvs 1971 Phil Rowe begins career as banana breeder with UFC 1970s With D.L. Richardson and Franklin Rosales, Phil evaluates UFC germplasm and utilizes it to develop superior male and female parents

kl l x

SH-1734

‘Lidi’ ‘Sinwobogi’

= SH-1734 Musa acuminata Philippines

Ortiz, Ferris and Vuylsteke, 1995 SH-1734

SH-3142

‘Pisang jari buaya’ SH-3142 * * * * * * * *

(*) * (*) (*) Outstanding disease resistance and bunch characteristics of SH-3142 made it an extremely useful male and female parent , *, and a parent of a parent of an advanced , (*) SH-2095 from diversesources… finger characters came Outstanding bunch and

‘Sinwobogi’obogggi’

‘Tjau lagada’gaddaa’ SH-2095 SH-2095

‘Guyod’yoodd’

M. a. ssp. malaccensisccensis SH-2095

SH-3217

66 77

272272

- = SH-3217

H H SH-3217

SH-2095 SH-2766S SH-2989

‘Calcutta 4’

SH-2989

…and when used with BLS resistant lines… ‘Calcutta 4’

SH-2989 SH-3437

SH-3437

…yielded parents with BLS resistance and large bunches Chronology Late 1800s Panama disease begins to decimate export production of ‘Gros Michel’ 1922 Banana breeding program begins in Trinidad (Imperial College of Tropical Agriculture) to develop Panama disease-resistant replacement for ‘Gros Michel’; transferred in 1960 to Jamaica 1959 Banana breeding program begun in Honduras by United Fruit Company (UFC); 1959-1961, Paul Allen and J.J. Ochse lead expeditions to Western Pacific and Southeast Asia to collect banana germplasm 1960s Export trades complete conversion from ‘Gros Michel’ to Cavendish cvs 1971 Phil Rowe begins career as banana breeder with UFC 1970s With D.L. Richardson and Franklin Rosales, Phil evaluates UFC germplasm and utilizes it to develop superior male parents Late 1980s FHIA releases first disease-resistant, high-yielding hybrids Genomes and pedigrees of FHIA hybrids FHIA-01 AAAB aka ‘Goldfinger’. ‘Santa Catarina Prata’ x SH-3142 FHIA-02 AAAA aka ‘Mona Lisa’. ‘Williams’ x SH-3393 FHIA-03 AABB aka ‘Sweetheart’. SH-3386 (‘Gaddatu’ x BB) x SH-2471) x SH- 3320 FHIA-17 AAAA. ‘Highgate’ x SH-3362 FHIA-18 AAAB aka ‘Bonanza’ or ‘Bananza’. ‘Prata Ana’ x SH-3142 FHIA-20 AAAB. ‘AVP-67’ (French plantain) x SH-3437 FHIA-21 AAAB. ‘AVP-67’ (French plantain) x SH-3142 FHIA-23 AAAA. ‘Highgate’ x SH-3362 FHIA-25 AAB. SH-3648 x SH-3142 SH 3436-9 AAAA. ‘Highgate’ x SH-3142 SH-3640 aka ‘High noon’ Adoption and production of FHIA hybrids occurs in over 50 countries, especially in Cuba Genomes, pedigrees and attributes of FHIA hybrids FHIA-01 AAAB aka ‘Goldfinger’. ‘Santa Catarina Prata’ x SH-3142 • Good tolerance to: • black leaf streak (black Sigatoka) • Fusarium wilt (including TR4) • Radopholus similis • crown rot • Exceptional yield of subacid dessert fruit • Produced in over 50 countries; one of IDRC’s original “organic” ; adapted to a wide range of climates, including subtropical conditions and high altitudes. Genomes, pedigrees and attributes of FHIA hybrids FHIA-01 AAAB aka ‘Goldfinger’. ‘Santa Catarina Prata’ x SH-3142 FHIA-02 AAAA aka ‘Mona Lisa’. ‘Williams’ x SH-3393

• Resistant to BLS, but susceptible to races 1 and 4 of Fusarium wilt in Australia • High bunch weights over relatively short cycle times • IDRC’s second “organic” banana in Canada

Genomes, pedigrees and attributes of FHIA hybrids FHIA-01 AAAB aka ‘Goldfinger’. ‘Santa Catarina Prata’ x SH-3142 FHIA-02 AAAA aka ‘Mona Lisa’. ‘Williams’ x SH-3393 FHIA-03 AABB aka ‘Sweetheart’. SH-3386 (‘Gaddatu’ x BB) x SH-2471) x SH- 3320

• Tolerance to black Sigatoka, Fusarium wilt, Moko disease, and nematodes • Grown commercially in Cuba (where it is eaten primarily as a ripe dessert banana) and Grenada. • Adapted to a wide range of climates, including subtropical conditions and high altitudes Genomes, pedigrees and attributes of FHIA hybrids FHIA-01 AAAB aka ‘Goldfinger’. ‘Santa Catarina Prata’ x SH-3142 FHIA-02 AAAA aka ‘Mona Lisa’. ‘Williams’ x SH-3393 FHIA-03 AABB aka ‘Sweetheart’. SH-3386 (‘Gaddatu’ x BB) x SH-2471) x SH- 3320 FHIA-17 AAAA. ‘Highgate’ x SH-3362 • Tolerance to race 1 of Fusarium wilt, Cosmopilites sordidus, and BLS • Performs well in subtropics and at higher altitudes • Fruit ripens naturally to a golden yellow without the gassing Genomes, pedigrees and attributes of FHIA hybrids FHIA-01 AAAB aka ‘Goldfinger’. ‘Santa Catarina Prata’ x SH-3142 FHIA-02 AAAA aka ‘Mona Lisa’. ‘Williams’ x SH-3393 FHIA-03 AABB aka ‘Sweetheart’. SH-3386 (‘Gaddatu’ x BB) x SH-2471) x SH- 3320 FHIA-17 AAAA. ‘Highgate’ x SH-3362 FHIA-18 AAAB aka ‘Bonanza’ or ‘Bananza’. ‘Prata Ana’ x SH-3142 FHIA-20 AAAB. ‘AVP-67’ (French plantain) x SH-3437 FHIA-21 AAAB. ‘AVP-67’ (French plantain) x SH-3142 • Tolerant to race 1 and 2 of Fusarium wilt and BLS • Grown commercially in Cuba, Honduras, Nicaragua, , Venezuela, , Perú, México, Dominican Republic and . • Double the yield of traditional French plantain Genomes, pedigrees and attributes of FHIA hybrids FHIA-01 AAAB aka ‘Goldfinger’. ‘Santa Catarina Prata’ x SH-3142 FHIA-02 AAAA aka ‘Mona Lisa’. ‘Williams’ x SH-3393 FHIA-03 AABB aka ‘Sweetheart’. SH-3386 (‘Gaddatu’ x BB) x SH-2471) x SH- 3320 FHIA-17 AAAA. ‘Highgate’ x SH-3362 FHIA-18 AAAB Diseaseaka ‘Bonanza’ or ‘Bananza’.performance ‘Prata Ana’ x SH-3142 FHIA-20 AAAB. ‘AVP-67’ (French plantain) x SH-3437 FHIA-21 AAAB. ‘AVP-67’ (French plantain) x SH-3142 FHIA-23 AAAA. ‘Highgate’ x SH-3362 FHIA-25 AAB. SH-3648 x SH-3142 SH 3436-9 AAAA. ‘Highgate’ x SH-3142 SH-3640 aka ‘High noon’ TR4 Characteristics of germplasm tested against tropical race 4 in Northern Territory, Australia

FHIA-25 R R FHIA-01 SS R FHIA-18 SS R

G. Walduck and A. Daly TR4 Characteristics of germplasm tested against tropical race 4 in Northern CharacteristicsTerritory, Australia of germplasm tested against TR4 in NT, Australia

FHIA-17 VS VS FHIA-23 VS VS SH-3640 VS VS

G. Walduck and A. Daly TR4

Bingzhi et al 2004 South China TR4

Bingzhi et al 2004 South China TR4 TR4 BLS Germplasm tested for response to black leaf streak and yield over two cropping cycles in Isabela, Puerto Rico (Irish et al. manuscript in review) Origin Accession Country Institutea Genome Type Pedigree/Derivation CRBP 39 Cameroon CARBAP AAAB Plantain hybrid French Clair (AAB) x M53 (AA) FHIA-02 Honduras FHIA AAAB Dessert Williams (AAA) x SH-3393 (AA) FHIA-17 Honduras FHIA AAAA Dessert Gros Michel (AAA) x SH-3362 (AA) FHIA-18 Honduras FHIA AAAB Dessert/Pome Prata Aña (AAB) x SH-3142 (AA) FHIA-23 Honduras FHIA AAAA Dessert banana Highgate (AAA) x SH-3362 (AA) PA 03-22 Brazil EMBRAPA AAAB Dessert/Pome Prata Aña (AAB) x Calcuta 4 (AA) PA 12-03 Brazil EMBRAPA AAAB Dessert/Pome Prata Aña (AAB) x Lidi (AA) PITA 16 Nigeria IITA AAB Plantain hybrid TMPx 4479-1 (AAAB) x SH 3362 (AA) PV 03-44 Brazil EMBRAPA AAAB Dessert/Pome Pacovan (AAB) x Calcuta 4 (AA) PV 42-320 Brazil EMBRAPA AAAB Dessert/Pome Pacovan (AAB) x M-53 (AA) PV 42-53 Brazil EMBRAPA AAAB Dessert/Pome Pacovan (AAB) x M-53 (AA) PV 42-81 Brazil EMBRAPA AAAB Dessert/Pome Pacovan (AAB) x M-53 (AA) SH 3640 Honduras FHIA AAAB Dessert Prata Aña (AAB) x SH-3393 (AA) Grand Nainb Puerto Rico Local selection AAA Dessert Cavendish mutant selection Maricongob Puerto Rico Local selection AAB True Plantain Dwarf mutant of Congo Yangambi km 5b D.R. Congo Local selection AAA Dessert/Ibota - FHIA-01c Honduras FHIA AAAB Dessert/Pome Prata Aña (AAB) x SH-3142 (AA) FHIA-21c Honduras FHIA AAAB Plantain hybrid AVP-67 (AAB) x SH-3142 (AA) FHIA-25c,d Honduras FHIA AAB Cooking banana SH-3648 (4x) x SH-3142 (AA) TMB2x 9128-3c Nigeria IITA AA Diploid hybrid Tjau lagada (AA) x Pisang lilin (AA) BLS Germplasm tested for response to black leaf streak and yield over two cropping cycles in Isabela, Puerto Rico (Irish et al. manuscript in review) Origin Accession Country Institutea Genome Type Pedigree/Derivation CRBP 39 Cameroon CARBAP AAAB Plantain hybrid French Clair (AAB) x M53 (AA) FHIA-02 Honduras FHIA AAAB Dessert Williams (AAA) x SH-3393 (AA) FHIA-17 Honduras FHIA AAAA Dessert Gros Michel (AAA) x SH-3362 (AA) FHIA-18 Honduras FHIA AAAB Dessert/Pome Prata Aña (AAB) x SH-3142 (AA) FHIA-23 Honduras FHIA AAAA Dessert banana Highgate (AAA) x SH-3362 (AA) PA 03-22 Brazil EMBRAPA AAAB Dessert/Pome Prata Aña (AAB) x Calcuta 4 (AA) PA 12-03 Brazil EMBRAPA AAAB Dessert/Pome Prata Aña (AAB) x Lidi (AA) PITA 16 Nigeria IITA AAB Plantain hybrid TMPx 4479-1 (AAAB) x SH 3362 (AA) PV 03-44 Brazil EMBRAPA AAAB Dessert/Pome Pacovan (AAB) x Calcuta 4 (AA) PV 42-320 Brazil EMBRAPA AAAB Dessert/Pome Pacovan (AAB) x M-53 (AA) PV 42-53 Brazil EMBRAPA AAAB Dessert/Pome Pacovan (AAB) x M-53 (AA) PV 42-81 Brazil EMBRAPA AAAB Dessert/Pome Pacovan (AAB) x M-53 (AA) SH 3640 Honduras FHIA AAAB Dessert Prata Aña (AAB) x SH-3393 (AA) Grand Nainb Puerto Rico Local selection AAA Dessert Cavendish mutant selection Maricongob Puerto Rico Local selection AAB True Plantain Dwarf mutant of Congo Yangambi km 5b D.R. Congo Local selection AAA Dessert/Ibota - FHIA-01c Honduras FHIA AAAB Dessert/Pome Prata Aña (AAB) x SH-3142 (AA) FHIA-21c Honduras FHIA AAAB Plantain hybrid AVP-67 (AAB) x SH-3142 (AA) FHIA-25c,d Honduras FHIA AAB Cooking banana SH-3648 (4x) x SH-3142 (AA) TMB2x 91289128-33c NigeriaNigeria IITAIITA AA Di Diploidploid hybridhybrid Tjau lagadalagada (AA) x Pisang lilinn (AA) Seven advanced FHIA lines were evaluated (FHIA-01, FHIA-02, FHIA-17, FHIA-18, FHIA-21, FHIA-23, and FHIA-25) BLS

Gauhl’s modification of Stover’s scoring system was used to rate BLS severity, where: 0 = no symptoms; 1 = 1%; 2 = 2 to 5%; 3 = 5 to 15%; 4 = 16% to 33%; 5 = 34 to 50%; and 6 = > 50% of leaf area affected.

A disease severity index was calculated as: [(¦nb) / (N-1)T] x100, where n = number of leaves with a given rating, b = rating, N = number of ratings/grades in the scale and T = total number of leaves scored BLS Germplasm tested for response to black leaf streak and yield over two cropping cycles in Isabela, Puerto Rico

Disease severity index (%) Cycle 1 Cycle 2 Accession Flowering Harvest Flowering Harvest The FHIA lines routinely CRBP 39 22 cc 79 bc 09 defc 52 ef FHIA-02 02 f 25 i 07 def 16 j exhibited excellent BLS FHIA-17 18 cd 41 h 10 bcde 32 ghi FHIA-18 04 f 47 gh 03 f 26 ij tolerance at flowering FHIA-23 12 de 37 hi 10 bcde 29 hij PA 03-22 46 a 64 def 24 a 42 fgh and at harvest (which PA 12-03 05 ef 73 cd 17 abc 49 ef PITA 16 32 b 98 a 12 bcde 89 ab translates directly to PV 03-44 02 f 56 fg 06 ef 29 hij PV 42-320 07 ef 91 ab 10 bcde 59 de functional leaves at PV 42-53 07 ef 78 c 07 def 37 fghi PV 42-81 07 ef 98 a 10 bcde 68 dc harvest) SH 3640 16 cd 91 ab 14 bcd 77 bc Grand Nain 21 c 99 a 18 ab 95 a Maricongo 34 b 68 cde 23 a 63 cde YangamYangambingamgammmbi kmk 5 38 b 60 ef 17 abc 47 efg FHIA-01FHIA 0101d 06 23 03 22 FHIA-21d 05 15 09 25 TMB2x 9128-3d 24 88 18 88 BLS Germplasm tested for response to black leaf streak and yield over two cropping cycles in Isabela, Puerto Rico

Disease severity index (%) Harvest data Cycle 1 Cycle 2 Accession Bunch weight Bunch weight Flowering Harvest Flowering Harvest (kg), cycle 1 (kg), cycle 2

CRBP 39 22 cc 79 bc 09 defc 52 ef 15.0 f 17.4 fg FHIA-02 02 f 25 i 07 def 16 j 23.6 bc 33.6 b FHIA-17 18 cd 41 h 10 bcde 32 ghi 43.1 a 39.7 a FHIA-18 04 f 47 gh 03 f 26 ij 24.1 b 28.5 c FHIA-23 12 de 37 hi 10 bcde 29 hij 44.2 a 36.4 ab PA 03-22 46 a 64 def 24 a 42 fgh 6.9 h 7.0 h

PA 12-03 05 ef 73 cd 17 abc 49 ef 11.2 g 19.8 efg PITA 16 32 bHigh 98 a bunch 12 bcde weights 89 ab 25.0 b 27.4 c PV 03-44 02 f 56 fg 06 ef 29 hij 10.7 g 19.7 efg PV 42-320 07 ef 91 ab 10 bcde 59 de 15.6 ef 22.0 def PV 42-53 07 ef 78 c 07 def 37 fghi 17.5 ef 26.5 cd PV 42-81 07 ef 98 a 10 bcde 68 dc 15.2 f 22.4 de SH 3640 16 cd 91 ab 14 bcd 77 bc 18.3 de 25.7 cd Grand Nain 21 c 99 a 18 ab 95 a 20.7 cd 24.3 cde Maricongo 34 b 68 cde 23 a 63 cde 16.5 ef 15.5 g Yangambi km 5 38 b 60 ef 17 abc 47 efg 17.1 ef 28.5 c FHIA-01d 06 23 03 22 30.6 41.7 FHIA-21d 05 15 09 25 28.4 27.2 TMB2x 9128-3d 24 88 18 88 13.3 13.5 BLS Germplasm tested for response to black leaf streak and yield over two cropping cycles in Isabela, Puerto Rico

Disease severity index (%) Harvest data Cycle 1 Cycle 2

Accession Days planting Bunch weight Bunch weight Flowering Harvest Flowering Harvest to harvest of (kg), cycle 1 (kg), cycle 2 cycle 2

CRBPBPP 3399 22 cc 79 bc 09 defc 52 ef 635.3 bc 15.0 f 17.4 fg FHIA-02FHIA 0022 02 f 25 i 07 def 16 j 533.1 ef 23.6 bc 33.6 b FHIA-17FHIA 1177 18 cd 41 h 10 bcde 32 ghi 754.5 a 43.1 a 39.7 a FHIA-18FHIA 1188 04 f 47 gh 03 f 26 ij 659.9 b 24.1 b 28.5 c FHIA-23 12 de 37 hi 10 bcde 29 hij 755.4 a 44.2 a 36.4 ab PA 03-22 46 a 64 def 24 a 42 fgh 624.1 bc 6.9 h 7.0 h

PA 12-03 05 ef 73 cd 17 abc 49 ef 499.8 f 11.2 g 19.8 efg PITA 16 32 bHigh 98 a bunch 12 bcde weights, 89 ab 596.8 cd 25.0 b 27.4 c PV 03-44 02 f 56 fg 06 ef 29 hij 532.1 ef 10.7 g 19.7 efg PV 42-320 07 efbut 91 ab over 10 bcde longer 59 de 563.3 de 15.6 ef 22.0 def PV 42-53 07 ef 78 c 07 def 37 fghi 569.1 de 17.5 ef 26.5 cd PV 42-81 07 efcycle 98 a times 10 bcde 68 dc 593.5 cd 15.2 f 22.4 de SH 3640 16 cd 91 ab 14 bcd 77 bc 574.8 de 18.3 de 25.7 cd Grand Nain 21 c 99 a 18 ab 95 a 557.7 de 20.7 cd 24.3 cde Maricongo 34 b 68 cde 23 a 63 cde 626.3 bc 16.5 ef 15.5 g YangamYangambingamgammmbi kmk 5 38 b 60 ef 17 abc 47 efg 631.1 bc 17.1 ef 28.5 c FHIA-01FHIA 0101d 06 23 03 22 625.4 30.6 41.7 FHIA-21d 05 15 09 25 681.3 28.4 27.2 TMB2x 9128-3d 24 88 18 88 456.8 13.3 13.5 BN

Viaene et al. 2003 BN

Viaene et al. 2003 “We have lost the best American who ever came to Honduras.” Billy Pena, El Tiempo “We have lost the best American who ever came to Honduras.” Billy Pena, El Tiempo

Although he left us too soon, Phil left behind important contributions: 1) hybrid parents that combined necessary disease resistance with vast improvements in finger and bunch characters “We have lost the best American who ever came to Honduras.” Billy Pena, El Tiempo

…Phil left behind important contributions: 1) hybrid parents that combined necessary disease resistance with vast improvements in finger and bunch characters, and 2) hybrid lines that combined these characters and performed well in under marginal conditions. What would Phil be doing now? What would Phil be doing now? He would be addressing problems • Utilizing TR4 tolerance in SH-3142 in new hybrid progeny What would Phil be doing now? He would be addressing problems • Utilizing TR4 tolerance in SH-3142 in new hybrid progeny • Addressing erosion of BLS tolerance in ‘Calcutta 4’ – derived lines What would Phil be doing now? He would be addressing problems • Utilizing TR4 tolerance in SH-3142 in new hybrid progeny • Addressing erosion of BLS tolerance in ‘Calcutta 4’ – derived lines • Helping understand BSV issues in hybrids with B genomes x

= SH-1734

= SH-3142

FHIA-17 What would Phil be doing now? He would be addressing problems • Utilizing TR4 tolerance in SH-3142 in new hybrid progeny • Addressing erosion of BLS tolerance in ‘Calcutta 4’ – derived lines • Helping understand BSV issues in hybrids with B genomes • Grappling with “new” disease problems (e.g. eumusae leaf spot, XBW, phytoplasma problem in PNG) What would Phil be doing now? He would be addressing problems • Utilizing TR4 tolerance in SH-3142 in new hybrid progeny • Addressing erosion of BLS tolerance in ‘Calcutta 4’ – derived lines • Helping understand BSV issues in hybrids with B genomes • Grappling with “new” disease problems (e.g. eumusae leaf spot, XBW, phytoplasma problem in PNG) • Improving post-harvest and organoleptic qualities of FHIA hybrids What would Phil be doing now? He would be addressing problems • Utilizing TR4 tolerance in SH-3142 in new hybrid progeny • Addressing erosion of BLS tolerance in ‘Calcutta 4’ – derived lines • Helping understand BSV issues in hybrids with B genomes • Grappling with “new” disease problems (e.g. eumusae leaf spot, XBW, phytoplasma problem in PNG) • Improving post-harvest and organoleptic qualities of FHIA hybrids Although much needs to be done to continue improving this crop, future work will benefit greatly from Phil’s contributions QUESTIONS?