Abstract
North America is the largest net importer of bananas on a regional basis. The United States is still the world's number- one importer and consumer of bananas. U.S. companies spend approximately $1.1 billion each year on banana imports, purchasing 31.1% of total world imports (Fonsah 2002; FAO 2001). Bananas and plantains together have been rated the fourth most important crop in the world in terms of food value and food security. This research is aimed at determining the feasibility and suitability of Annual Cropping Production (ACP) for a niche market under Georgia weather conditions and, determining which cultivars have the greatest potential for ornamental-landscape use and ornamental-nursery production. Phenological and pomological sampling and data will be used to analyze the feasibility and suitability of ACP and ornamental use.