Response to black leaf streak disease and agronomic performances were compared in hybrids of bananas (FHIA 23, FHIA 25, BITA 3 and of plantain (FHIA 21 and CRBP 39). Local references were Grand Nain  (banana) and Orishele (plantain). Investigation was conducted in Azaguie district (southern Côte d’Ivoire). The soil of the plots was covered with cocoa waste and no chemical was applied. Pathological parameters (youngest leaf spotted, youngest leaf necrosed, infection index) were evaluated weekly and agronomic parameters (time from planting to flowering, time from planting to harvest, bunch weight, number of hands, number and grade of fingers) were assessed. Hybrids showed higher resistance to Black leaf streak disease than local cultivars. The ranks of young leaves with necrosis were up to 7 for hybrids BITA 3 (7.10) and CRBP 39 (10.3) while youngest leaves with necrosis were rank 5 for the local cultivar. Leaves of hybrid FHIA 25 showed no symptom of black leaf streak disease throughout the growth period, which indicates that FHIA 25 is highly resistant. At the emergence of the inflorescence and at harvest time, the number of leaves on hybrid banana cultivars was higher than that on the local cultivars. Three levels of BLSD infection index were observed: weak level, CRBP 39 (10.8%); average level, FHIA 21 (33.3), BITA 3 (23.7); FHIA 23 (29) and high level Grand Nain (57.4), and Orishele (47.5). Marketable weight data were highest for the hybrids FHIA 25 (68t/ha) and FHIA 21 (45t/ha). Hybrid BITA 3 yielded an average of 34 t/ha and covered its whole cycle in 10 months. Hybrids FHIA 21 and BITA 3 can be distributed to farmers while FHIA 25 can be used as female parent in a breeding scheme.

Key words 
Banana, hybrids, resistance, black leaf streak, organic fertilization, Côte d’Ivoire

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