BIOLOGICAL PROFILE OF LOCALLY GROWN BANANA CULTIVARS AND THE CAPABILITY OF THEIR PSEUDOSTEM SAP AS AN ALTERNATIVE ELECTROLYTE FOR WET CELL

Abstract

This study used the qualitative and quantitative experimental research design to establish the biological profile of the banana cultivars and the capability of their pseudostem sap as an alternative electrolyte for wet cell. Data were gathered by collecting banana sap and placing it in a 12-volt wet cell battery and observed at different time intervals. Mean, ANOVA, Duncan’s Multiple Range Test, LSD and pairwise comparison were used to determine significant differences between potential voltage and time interval. Bungulan, Lakatan, and Morado are derived from Musa Acuminata, while the Bulkan, Dippig, and Tordan are from the species of Musa Acuminata x Musa balbisiana. However, each cultivar is a member of a separate group, including the AABB, Cavendish subgroup of the AAA, AA, AAA, ABB, and AAB Group. The pH of the substrate is neutral, while the pH of newly harvested pseudostem sap turns acidic after 4 weeks of storage. The effects of the treatments, time interval, and their interactions produced a highly significant difference. The positive and negative control, and the six cultivars are statistically and significantly different from one another while Bungulan, Morado and Tordan cultivars are statistically the same. Week 1 had the highest voltage recorded and statistically the same mean voltages as in Weeks 2 and 4 with the lowest voltage seen in Week 3.The interaction of the sulfuric acid, distilled water, cultivars, and time interval yielded different voltage and are not statistically comparable. The pseudostem sap of the different banana cultivars contained in a 12-volt wet cell battery can lit the 5, 10 and 15-watts LED bulbs until the fourth week of storage.Using the pairwise comparisons, the treatments are statistically the same with one another. Hence, the banana pseudostem sap can be used as an alternative electrolyte for wet cell.