Dwarf Cavendish (Basrai)
A short, wind-tolerant Cavendish long grown in western India before G-9. Not yet individually researched for a detail page.
Quick facts
- Crop
- Banana
- Type
- Planting material
- Season
- All seasons
- Maturity period
- 12–14 months
- Expected yield
- High
- Suitable soil
- Loam
- Release
- A traditional AAA-genome Cavendish selection long established across Maharashtra, Gujarat, Bihar and West Bengal (Basrai is its trade name in Maharashtra) — not an ICAR-bred release; propagated from suckers or tissue culture, not true seed
About this variety
Dwarf Cavendish — sold commercially in India as Basrai, its dominant trade name in Maharashtra — is an AAA-genome dessert banana and the most widely grown commercial banana type in the country, per a directly-fetched TNAU (Tamil Nadu Agricultural University) banana variety profile and a directly-fetched global-agriculture.com variety page. Both sources describe a dwarf, wind-tolerant plant grown extensively in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Bihar and West Bengal, with further cultivation in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh — a wider spread than a single state. TNAU records a bunch of about 20–25 kg with roughly 12 hands and 150+ fruits; global-agriculture.com gives a somewhat lower 15–25 kg with 6–7 hands and about 13 fruits per hand — both plausible ranges for a variety grown this widely under different management levels. Fruits keep a thick rind that stays partly greenish even when ripe, and both sources note the post-harvest keeping quality is comparatively poor. Both sources also agree the variety is genuinely — not merely moderately — susceptible to Sigatoka leaf spot in humid conditions: TNAU calls it "highly susceptible" and global-agriculture.com uses the identical phrase. A related, higher-yielding Gujarat selection called Hanuman or Padarre (from Gandevi) produces markedly heavier 55–60 kg bunches but takes a longer crop duration to reach that size.
Key characteristics
Yield & maturity
Maturity period
12–14 months
Expected yield
High
Actual yield depends on sowing time, soil, irrigation, weather, seed quality and crop management.
Pest & disease considerations
Major diseases
Advantages & considerations
Why farmers may choose it
- Dwarf, wind-tolerant plant habit reduces storm/wind-lodging losses compared to taller banana types
- High-density planting combined with drip irrigation is reported to make the variety highly productive
- Most widely grown commercial banana in India, so planting material, agronomic know-how and market infrastructure are all well established
- A related Gujarat selection (Hanuman/Padarre) offers a much heavier-bunching option (55–60 kg) for growers willing to accept a longer crop cycle
Things to consider
- Corrected 2026-08-15: diseaseResistance previously said 'Moderate.' Two directly-fetched sources (TNAU, global-agriculture.com) independently describe it as 'highly susceptible' to Sigatoka leaf spot in humid conditions, so the field now reads 'Highly susceptible to Sigatoka leaf spot' to match.
- Corrected 2026-08-15: states previously listed Gujarat only. Both sources place Maharashtra as the variety's leading production state, alongside Gujarat, Bihar, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, so the field now lists all seven with Maharashtra first.
- Bunch-size figures vary modestly by source: TNAU gives ~20–25 kg / 12 hands / 150+ fruits, global-agriculture.com gives a lower ~15–25 kg / 6–7 hands / ~13 fruits per hand — both plausible ranges for a variety this widely grown across different regions and management levels, regional variance rather than a contradiction.
- Keeping quality is described as poor by both sources — relevant for a farmer weighing this variety against Robusta or a hybrid like Grand Naine for a market requiring longer transport.
Suitable regions
States this variety is recommended for — check locally, since a state can have more than one recommended zone.
- Maharashtra
- Gujarat
- Bihar
- West Bengal
- Tamil Nadu
- Karnataka
- Andhra Pradesh
Frequently asked questions
Is Basrai the same variety as Dwarf Cavendish?
Yes — Basrai is simply the trade name Dwarf Cavendish (AAA) is sold under in Maharashtra, where it is the dominant commercial banana variety.
Is Dwarf Cavendish resistant to Sigatoka leaf spot?
No — two independently-fetched sources (TNAU and a global-agriculture.com variety profile) both describe it as highly susceptible to Sigatoka in humid conditions, matching this record's diseaseResistance field.
Which state grows the most Dwarf Cavendish (Basrai)?
Maharashtra, where it is the dominant commercial variety and gives the crop its Basrai name — followed by Gujarat, Bihar and West Bengal, with further cultivation in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.
Does Dwarf Cavendish keep well after harvest?
Not especially — both sources checked describe its post-harvest keeping quality as comparatively poor, something to plan around for longer-distance markets.
Is there a higher-yielding version of Basrai?
Yes — a Gujarat selection from Gandevi, known as Hanuman or Padarre, produces much heavier bunches (55–60 kg versus Basrai's typical 15–25 kg) but takes a longer crop duration to reach that size.
Sourced from: Banana Variety Dwarf Cavendish (AAA) — Global Agriculture, Season & Varieties — Banana Expert System, TNAU Agritech Portal. editorial policy.