N. Liyadipitiya, U. Ekanayake, L. Jayarathna, S. Ulpathakumbura, L. Jayasinghe, N. Marikkar* National Institute of Fundamental Studies, Hantana Road, Kandy, Sri Lanka (Manuscript received 8 August 2024; accepted for publication 12 February 2025) Abstract. Banana tree (Musa spp.) has a