Tag: soil management

• 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).

• 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.

• 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.

• 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%.

• 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).

• 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).

• 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).

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• Suitable intercrops: Leguminous vegetables, beetroot, elephant foot yam, sunhemp.
• Incorporate sunhemp at 45 days to reduce nematode build-up.
• Avoid cucurbitaceous vegetables as intercrops.

• Definition and scope of agriculture and horticulture.
• Importance of sustainable crop production.
• Role of soil management in crop yield.
• Overview of pest and disease management.

• Soil properties affecting plant growth: texture, structure, pH.
• Soil fertility and nutrient management.
• Techniques for soil conservation and erosion control.
• Use of organic and inorganic fertilizers.

• Selection of crop varieties for different agro-climatic zones.
• Crop rotation and intercropping benefits.
• Water management: irrigation methods and scheduling.
• Harvesting and post-harvest handling practices.

• Common pests and diseases in major crops.
• Principles of integrated pest management (IPM).
• Cultural, biological, and chemical control methods.
• Use of resistant varieties and quarantine measures.

• Role of forestry in environmental sustainability and agroforestry systems.
• Basic concepts of animal husbandry and livestock management.
• Common animal diseases and their control.
• Importance of veterinary care in farm productivity.

• Agronomy is the science and technology of producing and using plants for food, fuel, fiber, and land reclamation.
• It integrates principles from biology, chemistry, ecology, earth science, and genetics.
• Agronomy focuses on improving crop yield and sustainable land use.

• Encompasses crop production, soil management, and environmental conservation.
• Essential for food security and sustainable agriculture.
• Addresses challenges like soil fertility, water management, and pest control.

• Increase crop productivity and quality.
• Optimize use of natural resources (soil, water, nutrients).
• Develop sustainable and profitable farming systems.
• Minimize environmental impact of agricultural practices.

• Crop Science: Study of crop growth, development, and management.
• Soil Science: Focus on soil properties, fertility, and conservation.
• Weed Science: Management of unwanted plants in crop fields.
• Agro-meteorology: Study of weather and climate impacts on crops.

• Soil preparation: Ploughing, harrowing, and leveling.
• Sowing methods: Broadcasting, drilling, transplanting.
• Water management: Irrigation and drainage techniques.
• Fertilizer application: Organic and inorganic sources.
• Pest and weed management: Integrated approaches.

• Monocropping: Cultivation of a single crop species.
• Mixed cropping: Growing two or more crops simultaneously.
• Intercropping: Cultivation of different crops in proximity.
• Crop rotation: Sequential cultivation of different crops on the same land.

• Agronomy is central to sustainable crop production and resource management.
• It integrates multiple scientific disciplines for efficient farming.
• Knowledge of agronomy is vital for agricultural professionals and students.