This lecture covers the essential aspects of banana (Musa spp.) cultivation, including suitable soil and climate requirements, planting methods, high density planting techniques, and effective nutrient and water management. Emphasis is placed on propagation, field preparation, intercultural operations, and maximizing productivity for commercial banana production.
Introduction to Banana
- Banana (Musa spp.) is a major fruit crop and staple food in tropical regions.
- Origin: South East Asia; called ‘Apple of Paradise’.
- Main producing states: Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar.
- Edible bananas are mostly hybrids of M. acuminata and M. balbisiana.
- Fruits develop by parthenocarpy (without fertilization).
Soil and Climate Requirements
Soil:
- Deep, well-drained soils rich in organic matter are ideal.
- Optimum soil pH: 5.5–8.0.
- Soil depth: At least 1 meter.
Climate:
- Prefers humid tropical climate.
- Temperature range: 10°C to 40°C (optimum ~23°C).
- Altitude: Up to 1500 m above mean sea level.
- Rainfall: Minimum 100 mm/month is beneficial.
- High wind velocity (>80 m/hr) can damage plants.
Planting Season and Propagation
Planting Season:
- Wet land: Feb–Apr (Poovan, Rasthali, Monthan), Apr–May (Nendran, Robusta).
- Garden land: Jan–Feb, Nov–Dec.
- Padugai land: Jan–Feb, Aug–Sep.
- Hill banana: Apr–May (lower Palani hills), Jun–Aug (Sirumalai).
Propagation Methods:
- By suckers: Sword suckers (vigorous, early bearing) and water suckers (less vigorous).
- Average sucker weight: 1.5–2 kg.
- Micropropagation (tissue culture) for rapid multiplication.
Sucker Pretreatment and Field Preparation
Pretreatment of Suckers:
- Trim roots and decayed corm portions; cut pseudostem to 20 cm above corm.
- For wilt-prone varieties, dip corm in 0.1% carbendazim for 5 min.
- Pralinage: Dip corm in clay slurry and sprinkle with 40 g carbofuran 3G per sucker to control nematodes.
- Alternative: Dip in 0.75% monocrotophos, shade dry 24 hours before planting.
Field Preparation:
- Deep ploughing and leveling of land.
- Dig pits (45 cm x 45 cm x 45 cm); refill with topsoil, 10 kg FYM, 250 g neem cake, 50 g lindane 1.3%.
Spacing and High Density Planting
- Garden land: 1.8 x 1.8 m (3086 plants/ha) or 1.5 x 1.5 m (4444 plants/ha).
- Wet land: 2.1 x 2.1 m (2267 plants/ha).
- Hill: 3.6 x 3.6 m (750 plants/ha).
- High density: 3 suckers/pit at 1.8 x 3.6 m (4600 plants/ha).
Irrigation and Water Management
- Immediate irrigation after planting; life irrigation on 4th day.
- Subsequent irrigation: Weekly (garden land), every 10–15 days (wetland).
- Drip irrigation: 15 L/plant/day (planting–4th month), 20 L/plant/day (5th month–shooting), 25 L/plant/day (shooting–15 days before harvest).
Nutrient Management
- Apply N, P, K as per land type and variety (see table below).
- Use neem-coated urea for N application.
- Apply N & K in 3 splits (3rd, 5th, 7th month); P at 3rd month.
- For tissue culture plants, apply 50% extra fertilizer at 2nd, 4th, 6th, 8th month.
- Biofertilizers: Azospirillum and Phosphobacteria (20 g each at planting and 5th month).
| Land/Variety |
N (g/plant/yr) |
P (g/plant/yr) |
K (g/plant/yr) |
| Garden land (other than Nendran) |
110 |
35 |
330 |
| Garden land (Nendran) |
150 |
90 |
300 |
| Wet land (Nendran) |
210 |
35 |
450 |
| Wet land (Rasthali) |
210 |
50 |
390 |
| Wet land (Poovan, Robusta) |
160 |
50 |
390 |
Fertigation and Micronutrient Management
Fertigation:
- Apply 25 L water/plant/day with 200:30:300 g N:P2O5:K2O/plant using water-soluble fertilizers.
- For cost-saving, use 30% recommended N & K via fertigation; full P as basal at 2nd month.
Micronutrients:
- Spray ZnSO4 (0.5%), FeSO4 (0.2%), CuSO4 (0.2%), H3BO3 (0.1%) at 3, 5, 7 months after planting.
Intercultural Operations and Special Practices
- Bi-monthly digging and earthing-up.
- Desuckering: Remove side suckers monthly.
- Remove and burn dry/dead leaves.
- Remove male flower a week after last hand opens.
- Propping: Support bunches with bamboo or casuarina poles to prevent wind damage.
Growth Regulators and Bunch Management
- Spray 2,4-D at 25 ppm after last hand opens to improve bunch grade and reduce seediness (Poovan).
- Spray CCC (1000 ppm) at 4th and 6th month to enhance yield.
- Spray plantozyme (2 ml/L) at 6th and 8th month for higher yield.
- Cover bunches with transparent polyethylene sleeves (2–4% ventilation) after last hand opens.
Intercropping and Cropping System
- Suitable intercrops: Leguminous vegetables, beetroot, elephant foot yam, sunhemp.
- Incorporate sunhemp at 45 days to reduce nematode build-up.
- Avoid cucurbitaceous vegetables as intercrops.
Objective Questions
Q1. Which two species are the main contributors to edible banana hybrids?
A. M. acuminata and M. balbisiana
B. M. paradisiaca and M. sapientum
C. M. acuminata and M. sapientum
D. M. balbisiana and M. paradisiaca
Answer: A
Q2. What is the optimal soil pH range for banana cultivation?
A. 4.0 – 5.0
B. 5.5 – 8.0
C. 7.5 – 9.0
D. 6.5 – 9.5
Answer: B
Q3. Which type of sucker is preferred for banana propagation due to its vigor and early bearing?
A. Water sucker
B. Sword sucker
C. Leaf sucker
D. Root sucker
Answer: B
Q4. What is the recommended pit size for planting banana?
A. 30 cm3
B. 45 cm3
C. 60 cm3
D. 90 cm3
Answer: B
Q5. For high density planting, what is the recommended spacing and number of plants per hectare?
A. 1.5 x 1.5 m, 4444 plants
B. 2.1 x 2.1 m, 2267 plants
C. 1.8 x 3.6 m, 4600 plants
D. 3.6 x 3.6 m, 750 plants
Answer: C
Q6. Which chemical is used for pralinage to control nematodes in banana suckers?
A. Carbendazim
B. Lindane
C. Carbofuran
D. Monocrotophos
Answer: C
Q7. What is the recommended fertilizer application schedule for N and K in banana cultivation?
A. Single application at planting
B. In 3 splits at 3rd, 5th, and 7th month
C. In 2 splits at 4th and 8th month
D. Monthly application throughout the year
Answer: B
Q8. Which micronutrient combination is sprayed at 3, 5, and 7 months after planting to improve banana yield and quality?
A. ZnSO4, FeSO4, CuSO4, H3BO3
B. ZnSO4, MgSO4, CuSO4, H2SO4
C. FeSO4, MnSO4, CuSO4, H3BO3
D. ZnSO4, FeSO4, CaSO4, H3BO3
Answer: A
Q9. Which growth regulator is sprayed at 4th and 6th month after planting to enhance banana yield?
A. 2,4-D
B. Plantozyme
C. CCC
D. GA3
Answer: C
Q10. Which crop should be avoided as an intercrop in banana plantations?
A. Sunhemp
B. Beet root
C. Elephant foot yam
D. Cucurbitaceous vegetables
Answer: D
