Improving Crossing Efficiency by Exploiting the Genetic Potential of Allotetraploid Cooking Bananas

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

1. A summary of phenologic stages from flowering and fruiting stages stages should be included in the introduction and reflected upon in the discussion and outcomes.

2. As firmness is a quality factor - textural  and chemical changes should be included and the technique of measuring firmness and the stage when the plantain should be at for optimal use needs more explanation.

3. An interesting research project with practical outcomes

Author Response

Dear Editor,

Dear reviewers,

We are deeply grateful for the opportunity to improve our manuscript ID horticulturae-2775430, entitled "Improving crossing efficiency by exploiting the genetic potential of allotetraploid cooking bananas", for possible publication in the prestigious journal “Horticulturae”. The present document provides a comprehensive response to the criticisms levelled at this article. Point by point, we have taken into account all the remarks and comments made by the reviewers.

To facilitate the understanding of the present document, we have adopted a color code as follows:

- Black = Reviewer’s comment/recommendation

- Red = Author’s response

- Blue= Correction made in the text

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 2 Report

This study is aimed to improve crossing efficiency by exploiting the genetic potential of allotetraploid cooking bananas. The experimetal design is acceptable. The study contains valuable results. The study can be considered for publication after suitable revisions.

Suggestions:

L41: Musa balbisiana

L100: Give details for each parameter on replications and/or experimental repetitions. 

L195: Please give more details for stat analyses for which parameters you use ANOVA or multiple comparison. 

L425: Figure 2: It s not clear which pictures are A and B.

Author Response

Dear Editor,

Dear reviewers,

We are deeply grateful for the opportunity to improve our manuscript ID horticulturae-2775430, entitled "Improving crossing efficiency by exploiting the genetic potential of allotetraploid cooking bananas", for possible publication in the prestigious journal “Horticulturae”. The present document provides a comprehensive response to the criticisms levelled at this article. Point by point, we have taken into account all the remarks and comments made by the reviewers.

To facilitate the understanding of the present document, we have adopted a color code as follows:

- Black = Reviewer’s comment/recommendation

- Red = Author’s response

- Blue= Correction made in the text

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 3 Report

The Authors present an interesting paper regarding the possibility to improve the crossing efficiency of allotetraploid cooking Bananas.
The study is appealing because the related economic and food availability consequences for the many populations who grow and eat these fruits are also notable
The authors introduce the scenario in which their study fits well, the introduction is good and the aim of the work is clear. The materials and methods paragraph is sufficiently informative. There are many results reported with many tables whose layout (i.e. table 3) and homogeneity (i.e. table 7) must be checked. Furthermore, it would be useful to include information relating to the letters of the statistical analysis in the caption of Table 6.
The discussion of the results is in-depth and adequate also in relation to sufficiently recent bibliography.
It is appreciable that in the conclusions the Authors indicate how they will continue this study
some notes for the Authors.
- line 79 a parenthesis opens but is not closed. Please check the sentence
- Be careful to put the genus and species in italics
- Check that you have explained the acronyms in the text at the first reading (i.e. DIC, IFH, and so on..)
- The abbreviation of Number is No

Moderate editing of English language is necessary

Author Response

Dear Editor,

Dear reviewers,

We are deeply grateful for the opportunity to improve our manuscript ID horticulturae-2775430, entitled "Improving crossing efficiency by exploiting the genetic potential of allotetraploid cooking bananas", for possible publication in the prestigious journal “Horticulturae”. The present document provides a comprehensive response to the criticisms levelled at this article. Point by point, we have taken into account all the remarks and comments made by the reviewers.

To facilitate the understanding of the present document, we have adopted a color code as follows:

- Black = Reviewer’s comment/recommendation

- Red = Author’s response

- Blue= Correction made in the text

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf