Banana Area Under Cultivation The chief banana growing states in India are Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, Kerela, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Orissa, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Assam, Tripura and Manipur.
Botanical Name : Musa paradisiaca Family : Musaceae Plant Discription : It is a freely stooling perennial rhizomatous herb having pseudostems composed of tight clasping leaf sheaths.Main stem is an underground rhizome. The inflorescence is horizontal or pendant and fruit bunches are compact.
Centre of Origin : Warm moist parts of Asia Pollination System : Parthenocarpic Chromosome No. : 2n=22,24 Nutritional Levels : Moisture (%)
Protein (%)
Fat (%)
Mineral matter (%)
Fibre (%)
Carbohydrate (%)
Calories (K Cal)
70.1
1.2
0.3
0.8
0.4
27.2
116
Phosphorus (mg/100g)
Potassium (mg/100g)
Calcium (mg/100g)
Magnesium (mg/100g)
Iron (mg/100g)
Sodium (mg/100g)
Copper (mg/100g)
36
88
17
41
0.36
36.6
0.16
Manganese (mg/100g)
Zinc (mg/100g)
Sulphur (mg/100g)
Chlorine (mg/100g)
Molybdium (mg/100g)
Cromium (mg/100g)
0.2
0.15
7
8
0
0.004
Carotene (mg/100g)
Thiamine (mg/100g)
Riboflavin (mg/100g)
Niacin (mg/100g)
Vitamin C (mg/100g)
Choline (mg/100g)
Folic acid-Free (mg/100g)
78
0.05
0.08
0.5
7
0
0
Minerals
Vitamins
Folic acid- Total (mg/100g) 0
Banana Diseases Panama Wilt (Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense) : This is a soil-borne fungal disease and gets entry in the plant body through roots. It is most serious in poorly drained soil. Initial symptoms are yellowing of lower leaves, including leaf blades and petioles. The leaves hang around the pseudostem and wither. In the pseudostem of the diseased plant, yellowish to reddish streaks are noted with intensification of colour towards the rhizome. Wilt is severe in poor soil with continuous cropping of banana. Warm soil temperature, poor drainage, light soils and high soil moisture are congenial for the spread of the disease. Control : Severely affected plants should be uprooted and burnt. Highly infected soil should not be replanted with banana at least for 3-4 years. Use of disease-free planting material and resistant cultivar are recommended. Growing of paddy followed by banana for 3-5 years once or twice, use of quick lime near the base of the plant and soaking with water and avoiding sunflower or sugarcane in crop rotation helps to reduce the disease incidence. Dipping of suckers in Carbendazim (10g/10 litres of water) followed by bimonthly drenching starting from 6 months after planting is also recommended. Application of bioagents, such as, Trichoderma viride or Pseudomonas fluorescence in the soil is effective.
Leaf Spot, Leaf Streak or Sigatoka Disease (yellow sigatoka-Mycosphaerella musicola; black sigatoka or black leaf streak-Mycosphaerella fijiensis) : Yellow sigatoka is one of the serious diseases affecting the banana crop. Initial symptoms appear in the form of light yellowish spots on the leaves. A small number of these enlarge, become oval; the colour also changes to dark brown. Still later, the centre of the spot dies, turning light grey surrounded by a brown ring. In severe cases, numerous spots coalesce, killing large parts of the leaf. Rainfall, dew and temperature determine the spread of the disease. Conditions favouring mass infection are most common during the rainy season with temperature above 21째C. Control : Cultural practices such as improved drainage, control of weeds, removal of diseases suckers and adopting correct spacing is recommended. Dithane M-45 WP (in oil-water emulsion) and Dithane M-45 (in water only) controlled Mycosphaerella fjijiensis var. difformis in banana. Foliar spray of Copper Oxychloride (3 g/litre of water) or Thiophanate Methyl 1 g/ litres of water) controls the disease effectively.
Anthracnose ( Gloeosporium musae) : The disease attacks banana plants at all stages of growth. Disease attacks the flowers, skin and distal ends of banana heads. The symptoms appear as large brown patches covered with a crimson growth of the fungus. The disease fruit turns black and the fruit is shrivelled. Control: Spraying of Chlorothanlonil (0.2%) and Bavistin (1 %) four times at 15 days interval is recommended. Minimising bruising; proper sanitation of handling and prompt cooling to 14째C are essential in minimising the disease in cold storage.
Cigar End Tip Rot (Verticillium theobromae, Trachsphaera fructigena and Gloeosporium musarum): A black necrosis spread from the perianth into the tip of immature fingers. The rotted portion of the banana finger is dry and tends to adhere to fruits (appears similar to the ash of a cigar). Control : Removal of pistil and perianth by hand 8-10 days after bunch formation and spraying the bunch with Dithane M -45 (0.1%) or Topsin M (0.1%) controls the disease effectively. Minimising bruising; prompt cooling to 14째C; proper sanitation of handling facilities reduce the incidence in the cold storage.
Crown Rot (Colletotrichum musae, Fusarium sp., Verticillium theobromae, Botryodiploidia theobromae and Nigrospora sphaericu) : The characteristic symptoms are blackening of the crown tissues, which spreads to the pulp through the pedicel resulting rotting of the infected portion and separation of fingers from the hand. Control : Dipping the bunches or hands in Thiobendazole or Benomyl and/or using fungicide impregnated cellulose pad for packing is recommended.
Stem-end Rot (Thielaviopsis paradoxa) : The fungus enters through the cut stem or hand. The invaded flesh becomes soft and water-soaked. Control : Minimising bruising; prompt cooling to 14째C; proper sanitation of handling facilities and hot water treatment of hands (such as 5 minutes in 50째C water) helps in controlling the disease in cold storage.
Pseudostem Heart Rot (Botrydiplodia sp.,Gloeosporium sp. and Fusarium sp.) :The first indication of heart rot is the presence of heart leaves with part of the lamina missing or decayed. In severe cases, the inner leaves of the crown first turn yellow, then brown and finally die. In more severe cases all the leaves and the plant die. Control : Adopting field sanitation, good drainage and proper spacing reduce the incidence of the disease. To prevent spread of the disease, spraying of Captan or Dithane M-45 or Dithane Z- 78 is effective.
Head Rot (Erwinia carotovora) : Newly planted suckers get affected, leading to rotting and emitting of foul odour. In older plants rotting at the collar region and leaf bases are seen. In advanced cases, trunk base becomes swollen and split. Control : Good drainage and soil conditioning can control the disease to some extent. Use of rhizomes with dead central buds and active lateral buds prevents the appearance of the disease.
Bacterial Wilt or Moko Disease (Pseudomonas solanacearum) : The young plants are affected severely. In the initial stages the bacterial wilt is characterised by the yellowish discolouration of the inner leaf lamina close to the petiole. The leaf collapses near the junction of the lamina with the petiole. Within a week most of the leaves exhibit wilting symptoms. The presence of yellow fingers in an otherwise green stem often indicates the presence of moko disease. The most characteristic symptoms appear on the young suckers that have been cut once and begin regrowth. These are blackened and stunted. The tender leaves from the suckers turn yellow and necrotic. Control : Early detection and destruction of the suspected plants may help in preventing the spread of the disease. All the tools used for pruning and cutting should be disinfected with formaldehyde. As the insects can carry the disease causing bacterium on the male flowers, removal of the male flowers as soon as the last female hand emerge help in minimising the spread of the disease.
Banana Bunchy Top Virus (BBTV) : The disease is transmitted to the plant by the aphid vector Pentalonia nigronervosa and dwarf bananas are very susceptible to this disease. Primary symptoms of the disease are seen when infected suckers are planted. Such infected suckers putforth narrow leaves, which are chlorotic and exhibit mosaic symptoms. The affected leaves are britttle with their margins rolled upwards. Characteristic symptom of bunchy top virus is the presence of interrupted dark green streaks along the secondary veins of the lamina or the midrib of the petiole. The diseased plants remain stunted and do not produce bunch of any commercial value. Control : Systematic eradication of the diseased plants, suckers and the clumps is very essential. Planting materials should not be collected from places affected by this disease. The aphid should be controlled to check spread of the disease by spraying with Metasystox (0.1-0.5%). Plants adjacent to the healthy plants should also be sprayed. The affected plant should be killed with kerosene or herbicides such as 2, 4-D or 2, 4, 5-T. The rhizome should be dug out, cut into small sections and sprayed again so that no suckers can be produced which may harbour the virus.
Banana Streak Virus (BSV) : A prominent symptom exhibited by BSV is yellow streaking of the leaves, which becomes progressively necrotic producing a black streaked appearance in older leaves. . The virus is transmitted mostly through infected planting materials, though mealy bugs (Planococcus citri) and more probably Saccharicoccus sacchari are also believed to transmit it. Shoot tip culture does not eliminate it from vegetatively propagated materials. Control: Control strategies include use of clean planting material and quarantine. Eradication of infected plants and control of vectors are effective in controlling the severity of the disease.
Mosaic Virus : The disease is characterised by typical mosaic symptoms on the leaves. Mosaic plants are easily recognised by their dwarf growth and mottled, distorted leaves. The earliest symptoms appear on young leaves ass light green or yellowish streaks and bands giving a mottled appearance. The aphid vector Aphis gossypii transmits the disease. Control : The plantation should be kept free from weeds. Suckers from infected clumps should not be used for planting. Weeds in the nearby area should be removed as the virus survives in them during offseason. Use of suitable insecticide to reduce spread of the disease is also suggested.
Banana Bract Mosaic Virus (BBMV) : The symptoms appear as yellow green bands or mottling over an entire area of young leaves. The affected leaves show abnormal thickening of veins. Bunch development is affected. Control : Removal and destruction of affected plants along with rhizome. Growing cucurbits in and around banana field should be avoided.
Banana Disorders Chilling Injury : Symptoms include surface discoloration, sub-epidermal tissues reveal dark-brown streaks, failure to ripen, and, in severe cases, flesh browning. Chilling injury results from exposing bananas to temperatures below 13째C for a few hours to a few days, depending on cultivar, maturity, and temperature.
Skin Abrasions : Abrasions result from skin scuffing against other fruits or surfaces of handling equipment or shipping boxes. When exposed to low (<90%) relative humidity conditions, water loss from scuffed areas is accelerated and their colour turns brown to black.
Impact Bruising : Dropping of bananas may induce browning of the flesh without damage to the skin.
Banana Harvesting Bananas are harvested raw and ripened artificially. The dwarf bananas are ready for harvest within 1114 months after planting, while tall cultivars take about 14-16 months to harvest. A bunch usually takes 90-120 days to mature after shooting, depending on climate and cultural practices. The maturity of banana is indicated by drying of top leaves, change in colour of fruits from dark green to light green and tendency of the floral end of the fruit to fall by slightest touch by hand. The mature fruit becomes plumpy and all the angles are filled in completely. When tapped the fruit gives metallic sound. The method of harvesting depends on the height of the plant. Low growing varieties are harvested by cutting through the bunch stalk about 30-35 cm above the top hand. With taller varieties, the stem of the plant will be partly cut through to bring the bunch down within the harvester's reach.
Harvesting for Export 1. Irrigation of banana plantations should be stopped well in advance of the harvest date, preferably a week, so as to facilitate drying of the soil for movement of labour, harvesting, loading, etc. 2. Temporary sheds should be erected near banana fields and all operations such as cutting into hands, application of fungicidal paste should be carried out under the shade. 3. Bunches selected should be green, three-fourths ripe, whole, free from rubbing, scratching, bruises, sunburns or other blemishes. Bunches having malformed fingers, octopus-shaped hands, broken, torn or split fingers etc. should be rejected. 4. Three quarters full stage is recognized by sharp angularities of the fingers. In some banana growing countries, the bunches are marked with date and month as soon as the inflorescence is shot. Under irrigated conditions the variety 'Dwarf Cavendish' takes 99-107 days to reach three quarters full maturity. 5. 'Dwarf Cavendish' banana at three-fourths full maturity shows a pulp skin ratio of 1.35 to 1.40 under normal conditions and this gives a fairly accurate index of maturity. 6. For cutting (harvesting) the bunches, one cutter and one helper are required. The bunch should be cut in one stroke 20 cm to 25 cm above the first band or 7.5 cm to 10 cm from the tip of the fingers of the first hand. The helper should hold the same portion and place it carefully on the freshly cut leaves spread on the ground. The last hand is removed if undersized. 7. For carrying bunches to packing shed it is necessary that after 15 minutes of harvest, when the latex flow ceases, the bunches should be taken two at a time on stretchers and should not be allowed to come into contact with soil.
Yield Varieties
Yield (t/ha)
a) Dwarf Cavendish
30-40
b) Robusta
38-45
c) Other varieties
20-30
Banana Intercultural Operations Weed Control Regular weeding is important during the first four months. Spading is commonly used and normally four spadings a year are effective in controlling weeds. Integrated weed management by including cover crops, judicious use of herbicides, intercropping and hand weeding wherever necessary will contribute in increased production. Pre-emergence application of Diuron (1kg a.i./ha) or Glyphosate (2 kg a.i./ha) is effective in controlling grasses and broad-leaved weeds without affecting the yield and quality of banana. Double cropping of cowpea is equally effective in suppressing the weed growth.
Intercropping Intercropping can easily be raised in banana plantation at the early stages of growth. Vegetable and flower crops like radishes, cauliflower, cabbage, spinach, chilli, brinjal, lady's finger, gourds, marigold, and tuberose can be successfully grown as intercrop. Mixed cropping with arecanut coconut and cassava is a common and widely adopted practice in South India.
Desuckering During the life cycle, banana produces number of suckers from the underground stem. If all these suckers are allowed to grow, they grow at the expense of the growth of the main plant and hence the growth of the sucker should be discouraged. Removal of unwanted suckers is one of the most critical operations in banana cultivation and is known as desuckering. Such suckers are removed either by cutting them off or the heart may be destroyed without detaching the sucker from the parent plant. Removal of suckers with a portion of corm at an interval of 5-6 weeks hastened shooting and increased the yield.
Earthing Up In case of furrow planting earthing up should be done during rainy season to avoid water logging while during winter and summer the plant should be in the furrow.
Propping Propping operation is carried out in areas with high wind speeds. Pseudostems are propped up with bamboo, especially, at the time of bunch emergence.
Leaf Removal Pruning of surplus leaves helps to reduce the disease from spreading through old leaves. Leaf pruning can change light and temperature factors of microclimate. Pruning of leaves before bunch initiation delays flowering and harvesting cycle. For maximum yields a minimum of 12 leaves are to be retained.
Bunch Covering Bagging (bunch covering) is a cultural technique used by planters where export quality bananas are grown. This practice protects bunches against cold, sun scorching, against attack of thrips and scarring beetle. It also improves certain visual qualities of the fruits. Bunch covering with dry leaves is a common practice in India.
Removal of Male Flower Bud Removal of male bud after completion of female phase is necessary. Once the process of fruit setting is over, the inflorescence rachis should be cut beyond the last hand otherwise it grows at the cost of fruit development. This helps in early maturity of the bunch.
Banana Irrigation Banana requires copious irrigation. The irrigation needs very considerably depending upon the topography, soil, climate and variety. Near Jalgaon ( Maharashtra) irrigation is given at an interval of 34 days during the hot weather. After the rains, both the number of irrigations and the quantity of water are reduced. The basin method of irrigation is most commonly adopted. In this method water is supplied to the plants themselves and not to the intervening spaces that do contain roots. Avoid connecting one basin with another during irrigation as a general precaution. Tissue culture plants respond very well to drip irrigation. Drip irrigated plants have more vigorous growth, resulting in early and better yield. In the case of flood irrigation, once week irrigation is recommended
Banana Manuring & Fertilization The fertilizer dose depends upon the fertility of soil and amount of organic manure applied to the crop. For a good yield, 40-50 t/ha of well-decomposed FYM is incorporated into the soil. The recommended fertilizer dose for optimum yield is as follows Quantity of Fertilizers ( g/plant ) 5th month 3 month 7th month SSP MOP Urea SSP MOP Urea SSP MOP Urea
Varieties
rd
Poovan, Rasthali & Karpuravalli
140
155
130
230
155
320
90
---
175
D.Cavendish, Robusta & Nendran
15
155
130
250
105
320
150
---
225
Other varieties
110
110
130
155
110
300
90
---
160
(Source : NRC Banana) Fertilizer dosage for tissue culture banana is given below Days after Planting
Fertilizer Dose (g/plant) Urea/ SSP MOP Ammonium sulphate 125 50 45/100 30 75 125 85 90/195 110 125 85 110/245 150 125 100 110/245 180 125 100 90/195 At bunch emergence 85 -/ -
Nutritional Deficiency : Nitrogen Leaves of all ages become pale green. Mid ribs, petioles and leaf sheaths turn reddish pink and rosette in appearance. Plantations with poor root growth exhibit such symptoms. Bunch weight and fruit quality is affected. Control : Application of urea (300g/plant) followed by irrigation is recommended. Phosphorus Plants show stunted growth with poor root development. Old leaves show saw tooth marginal chlorosis, curling of leaves, breaking of petioles and bluish green colour of younger leaves. Control : Application of DAP (50g/plant) followed by irrigation is recommended.
Potassium The deficiency symptoms include orange yellow colour of old leaves, scorching along the margins, reduction in total leaf area, curving of midribs etc. Choking of leaves delay flower initiation leading to reduction in yield and quality. Control : Spraying Potassium Sulphate (1%) solution on the leaves is recommended. Calcium: The deficiency symptoms include deformation or absence of leaf lamina (spike leaf), marginal leaf necrosis and thickening of veins. Control : Application of lime (50g/plant) followed by irrigation is recommended. Magnesium Yellow discolouration is observed in the midblade and midrib portion however the margins of the leaf remain green. Purple mottling of the petioles, marginal necrosis and separation of leaf sheaths from the pseudostem is also seen. Control : Application of Magnesium Sulphate (25g/plant) followed by irrigation is recommended. Sulphur The deficiency symptoms include yellow or white appearance of young leaves, necrotic patches on the leaf margins, thickening of veins, stunted growth and small or choked bunches. Control:Application of complex fertilizer (20:20:0:15) @ 20 g/plant followed by irrigation is recommended. Manganese Narrow green edge appears at the leaf margins of second or third youngest leaf, which further spreads along the main veins towards the midrib. However, the interveinal areas remain green giving comb tooth appearance. Control : Spraying Manganese Sulphate (0.5%) on the leaves is recommended. Zinc Symptoms appear mostly in limed soils or soils with high pH. Young leaves become smaller in size and more lanceolate in shape. In the furling leaf high amount of anthocyanin pigmentation appear on its underside. The unfurled leaf has alternating chlorotic and green bands. Fruit is light green, twisted, short and thin. Control : Spraying Zinc Sulphate (0.5%) on the leaves is recommended. Iron The younger leaves turn yellow or white. Control : Spraying Iron Sulphate (0.5%) along with Urea (1%) on the leaves is recommended.
Copper Both young and old leaves show symptoms of chlorosis and curve towards the base, which gives an umbrella like appearance to the plant. Control : Spraying Copper Sulphate (0.5%) on the leaves is recommended. Boron Deficiency symptoms include reduced leaf area, curling of leaves, lamina deformation, appearance of white stripes perpendicular to the veins on the lamina of young leaves, thickening of secondary veins and inhibition of root and flower formation. Control : Application of Borax salt (25 g/plant) in the soil around the root zone of the plant is recommended.
Banana Pests Pseudostem Borer (Odoiporus longicollis) : Adults are either reddish brown or black. The pest is active during summer and monsoon months. The grubs bore into the stem and feed within the stem. An initial symptom is in the form of exudation of plant sap and blackened mass that comes out from the hole bore by the grub. Finally the whole plant dies. Control: In case of severe infection the affected plants should be uprooted and burnt. Celphos (3 tablets/plant) is recommended for control of egg, larva, pupa and adult population of the insect, application of. After placing the tablet inside the pseudostem, the slit should be plastered with mud. Clean cultivation is an important measure for its control. Application of Carbofuran (3 g of granules/stool) is very effective to control the pest. Alternately, application of Endosulphan (0.04%) or Carbaryl WP (0.1%) also controls the pest population.
Rhizome Weevil (Cosmopolites sordidus) : The larvae or grub of the weevil borer feeds by tunnelling in the banana plant. In severe cases, the tunnels extend several feet up the stem. The corm decays and becomes a mass of rotten tissue. Injury to corm prevents nourishment going to the plant. Leaves turn yellow, wither and die maturely. In heavily infected plantations, production is low. Adults feed on dead or dying banana plants and live under newly cut or rotting pseudostems. The female weevil either lays its eggs in the rotting pseudostem or moves to a living plant where eggs are inserted singly into a hole. The borers spread from plantation to plantation through planting material. Control : Plantations should be clear of debris in which borers can survive. It is most important to use clean planting material from fields, known to be free of weevils. Pieces of old rhizomes or pseudostems 1-2 feet long are cut down split and placed on the plantation floor between plants. Adult beetles migrate into these stems and can be collected by hand and poisoned. Before planting dipping of suckers in Monocrotophos (0.5%) for 30 minutes to protect rhizome from weevil attack.
Banana Aphid (Pentalonia nigronervosa) : The insect, is the vector of the virus causing bunchy top disease. Yellowish green nymphs and adults suck cell sap and devitalise plants. Affected parts become discoloured and malformed. High humidity favours rapid multiplication of this pest. The aphids are mostly observed on the lower surface of the leaves. Control : Spraying of Monocrotophos (0.05%) or Malathion (0.1%) at 10-15 days interval contains aphid population effectively. To prevent recurrence of the pest granular insecticides like Phorate @ 1.0 kg a.i./ha should be applied to soil.
Fruit and Leaf Scarring Beetle (Colaspis hypochlora) : Occurrence of this pest is usually high during the rainy season. The adult beetle feeds on young leaves and skin of young fruits. Infested fruits get spotted and severe scarring of fruit skin leads to underdeveloped fruit of less commercial value. . Control : Removal of grass weeds from plantations where the population of this pest is high can often reduce the population levels enough to avoid the use of insecticides. Unless the beetles are causing serious economic losses the use of insecticides should be avoided. In case of severe infestation spraying with Endosulphan (0.04%) or Carbaryl WP (0.1 %) controls the pest population.
Burrowing Nematode (Radopholus similis) : The first symptom of the disease is a small dark spot on the root. The nematode deposit eggs in the root tissue. Larvae after hatching form the eggs feed on the root tissue. Fungi rapidly invade such damaged root tissue. The number of fruits in the bunch is reduced and individual fruits are small. Affected plants do not respond to fertilizers, irrigation or cultural practices. Nematode population is built up rapidly in ratoon crops. Control : Application of Carbofuran 3G or Phorate 10G @10 g/pit at the time of planting or application of neem cake (250-400 g/pit) at the time of planting reduces the pest population. Control measures such as application of nematicides to the growing infected plants and planting of nematode-free corms in fallow soil are recommended. Recently granular nematicides are becoming popular. They are easy to apply by hand to the soil around the mat at times combined with fertilizers. Some have systemic action. They are carried down into the soil by rain or irrigation water. Three applications of Nemacur (Phenamiphos) are effective in controlling the nematodes.
Banana Post Harvest Technology Grading : The hands are graded based on the number and size of fingers in each hand. Overripe and injured fruits are discarded at this stage. Banana is sent to the local market as bunches.
Packaging : For packing and transportation the bunch is padded with banana leaves. A fungicidal paste prepared by the Central Food Technological Research Institute, Mysore is applied to cut ends to prevent stem end rot. After the paste dries, the bunches are put into polythene tubes (175 gauge, 55 cm wide with 1.8 cm with holes 10 cm apart). The bunches should then be stacked vertically or horizontally on the ground added with wilted or dry banana leaves in case there is delay in transportation. For exports, bananas are removed from the stem and hands and clusters of the bananas are packed in corrugated boxes with perforated polyethylene liners. The curved side of the hands is kept facing upwards making sure that the crown of the upper hands do not damage the banana underneath.
Storage : In the cold storage, bananas are stored at 13-14째C with 90-95% relative humidity. Under controlled atmospheric conditions, 2-5% oxygen and 2-5% carbon dioxide should be used to supplement temperature and humidity management during transport and storage. Maintaining ethylene concentration below 1 ppm can extend postharvest life of mature green bananas. Mature-green bananas can be stored for up to 3 weeks in ethylene-free air or up to 6 weeks in a controlled atmosphere at 14OC.
Cool Chain : Cool chain is essential during the transport of export quality commodity all the way from the farm to the customer. This helps in maintaining the temperature inside the box at the same low level as in the cold storage. The various stages of the cool chain are: 1. Coldstore at the farm. 2. Refrigerated truck from farm to the airport 3. Coldstore at the airport. 4. Building up of the pallet in a coldstore at the airport. 5. Loading the aircrafts directly from the coldstore in a short time. 6. Cargo aircraft maintains coldstore temperature in hold. 7. Off loading direct into a coldstore in the receiving country. 8. Refrigerated truck to the customers.
Banana Planting Planting : Season of Planting Planting can be done in May-June or in September - October
Spacing : Before planting the land is manured by using 50 tones of FYM /ha. In case of planting in the pits 1015kg of FYM is added/pit. Spacing varies according to the cultivar, soil fertility and season of planting. The following are some common spacing schedules for the different cultivars-
Cultivar 'Poovan' 'Monthan' 'Rasthali' 'Kali ( Nadan)' 'Nendran' Dwarf Cavendish ('Basrai', 'Kabuli') 'Robusta' (Harichal)
Spacing (m)
No. of Suckers Per ha
Per acre
2150
870
3550
1440
3000
1210
3000
1210
1700
684
2.13 x 2.13 or 2.1 x 2.1
1.7 x 1.7 Or 1.8 x 1.8
1.8 x 1.8
'Nendran'
1.8 x 1.8 Or 2.4 x 2.4
'Hill Banana'
2.4 x 3.0
1350
545
4.1 x 3.6
670
270
4.8 m x 4.9 m
420
170
Export quality banana
1.7 x 1.75
In case of tissue culture plantlets a spacing of 1.65 x 1.65 m is adopted. Pits of size 45cm x 45cm x 45 cm are dug at the recommended spacing. The pits with equal quantities of topsoil, well decomposed FYM and sand in 1:1:1 proportion. Polybag may be slit and removed and the plant be inserted into the centre of the filled pit without disturbing the roots. The soil level must be maintained at the same level as in the polybag.
Methods of Planting : There are two methods of planting : Pit method : Pits of 0.5mx0.5mx0.5m are dug for planting the rhizomes. However this method is very laborious and expensive. The only advantage is that no earthing up is required as planting is done at the required depth. This practice is not very popular at present. Furrow method : This is a very common method in which furrows of 20-25cm depth are opened by a tractor or ridger at a distance of 1.5m and rhizomes are planted in the furrows. In this method earthing up needs to be frequently done to cover the exposed rhizomes.
Banana Propagation Vegetative Method Commercial bananas are seedless and propagated exclusively by vegetative means. The banana has a reduced underground stem, called the rhizome, which bears several buds. Each of these buds sprouts and forms its own pseudostem and a new bulbous rhizome. These daughter plants are called suckers. Banana is mostly propagated by rhizomes and suckers viz. sword suckers and water suckers. Sword suckers have a welldeveloped base with narrow sword-shaped leaf blades at the early stages. Water sucker posses broad leaves, which do not produce healthy banana clumps. Suckers of 2-4 months age are selected. Other planting materials are whole or bits of rhizomes. Basrai variety in Jalgaon (Maharashtra) is as a rule propagated by dormant rhizomes. After cutting the parent plant, the rhizomes are removed from the soil, stored in cool, dry place for about 2 months. During the resting period the remaining part of pseudostem at the bottom falls of, leaving prominent heart bud. Conical rhizome should be selected while flat rhizomes to be rejected. The weight of the rhizomes should be 500 g-750 g .It should be 3-4 months age at planting. Very small rhizomes will give bigger size fruits with late flowering while bigger size rhizomes flower early but bear small size fruit/bunches. Since banana is highly unstable in genetic constitution, the suckers/rhizomes should be selected from plants, which are healthy, having all the desirable bunch qualities and high yielding ability possessing atleast 10 hands in a bunch.
Tissue Culture Now-a-days banana plants are also propagated through tissue culture. Varieties like Shrimanti, Gross Michael and Grand Naine are commonly produced using tissue culture technique. Normally disease free plantlets with 3 - 4 leaves are generally supplied in pots for raising secondary nursery. Plants are initially kept in shade [50%] and as they harden, shade is reduced gradually. After 6 weeks, plants do not require any shade. Normally two months of secondary nursery is good enough before the plants to be planted in the field pits.
Banana Soil and Climate Soil Fertility of soil is very important for successful cultivation, as banana is a heavy feeder. Banana, is one of the few fruits, which has a restricted root zone. Hence, depth and drainage are the two most important considerations in selecting the soil for banana. The soil suitable for banana should be 0.5 1m in depth, rich, well drained, fertile, moisture retentive, containing plenty of organic matter. The range of pH should be 6.5-7.5. Alluvial and volcanic soils are the best for banana cultivation. Banana is grown in India on a variety of soils such as the heavy clay soil of the Cauveri delta, alluvial soils of the Gangetic delta, black loam in Maharashtra, coastal sandy loams and the red lateritic soil of the hilly tracts of Kerala. These areas are famous for growing good crop of banana.
Climate Banana is essentially tropical plant requiring a warm and humid climate. However, it can be grown from sea level to all altitudes of 1200 metres. It can be cultivated in a temperature range of 10째C and 40째C with high humidity but growth is retarded at temperatures of 20째C and less and more 0 than 35째C. Yields are higher when temperatures are above 24 C for a considerable period. In cooler climate, the crop requires longer time to mature. Plants exposed to low temperature and humidity during active growth stage show reduced growth and yields. Hot winds blowing in high speed during the summer month's shred and desiccate the leaves. It requires on an average, 1700 mm rainfall distributed throughout the year for its satisfactory growth. Stagnation of water is injurious and may cause diseases like Panama wilt.
Banana Varieties Dwarf Cavendish (AAA) : It is a popular commercial cultivar grown extensively for table and processing purpose in the states Maharashtra, Gujarat, Bihar and West Bengal. It is also popular in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. 'Basrai' is the leading commercial variety of Cavendish group and is a leading commercial variety of Maharashtra. The plant stature is Dwarf making it less prone to wind damage. The bunch size, the fruit length and size is quite good though the keeping quality is rather poor. The average bunch weight with 6-7 hands and with about 13 fruits per hand is about 15-25 kg. The thick rind of the fruits retains to some extent the greenish colour even when the fruits are ripe. Gandevi selection known as 'Hanuman' or 'Padarre' is gaining importance inspite of its longer crop duration. The selection yields bunches weighing 55-60 kg. Performs well under light soils with high inputs. In combination with high-density planting and drip irrigation, Dwarf Cavendish is becoming a highly successful cultivar. It is highly susceptible to Sigatoka leaf spot disease in humid tropics restricting its commercial cultivation.
Robusta (AAA) : It is a semi-tall variety, grown mostly in Tamil Nadu and some parts of Karnataka for table purpose. Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra. It is a high yielding and produces bunch of large size with well developed fruits. Dark green fruits turn bright yellow upon ripening depending on ripening conditions. Fruit is very sweet with a good aroma. Bunch weighs about 25-30 kg. Requires propping. Fruit has a poor keeping quality leading to a quick breakdown of pulp after ripening, hence not suited for long distance transportation. Robusta is highly susceptible to Sigatoka leaf spot disease in humid tropics.
Rasthali (Silk AAB) : It is a medium tall variety commercially grown in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Karnataka and Bihar. Its unique fruit quality has made Rasthali popular and a highly prized cultivar for table purpose. Fruits are yellowish green throughout their development, but turn pale yellow to golden yellow after ripening. Fruit is very tasty with a good aroma. Longer crop duration, severe susceptibility to Fusarium wilt, requirement of bunch cover to protect fruits from sun cracking and formation of hard lumps in fruits make crop production more expensive.
Poovan (Mysore AAB) : It is a leading commercial cultivar grown throughout the country with location specific ecotypes like palayankodan in Kerala, Poovan in Tamil Nadu, Karpura Chakkarakeli in Andhra Pradesh and Alpan in North Eastern Region. It is generally cultivated as a perennial crop. Tamil Nadu is the leading producer of Poovan cultivar owing to its climatic and marginal soil condition. Poovan is also commercially cultivated for leaf industry throughout Tamil Nadu and in certain parts of Kerala. Fruit is slightly acidic, firm and has typical sour-sweet aroma. Fruits turn to attractive golden yellow on ripening. Medium sized bunch, closely packed fruits, good keeping quality and resistant to fruit cracking is its plus points. But it is highly susceptible to Banana Bract Mosaic Viral (BBMV) disease and Banana Streak Virus, (BSV), which cause considerable reduction in yield.
Nendran (AAB) : It is a popular variety in Kerala where it is relished as a fruit as well as used for processing. Commercial cultivation of Nendran has picked up rapidly in Tamil Nadu in the recent past. Nendran is known to display considerable diversity in plant stature, pseudostem colour, presence or absence of male axis, bunch size, etc. Bunch has 5-6 hands weighing about 12-15 kg. Fruits have a distinct neck with thick green skin turning buff yellow on ripening. Fruits remain as starchy even on ripening. Nendran is highly susceptible to Banana Bract Mosaic Virus (BBMV), nematodes and borers.
Red Banana (AAA) : Red banana is the most relished and highly prized variety of Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Its commercial cultivation is prominent in Kanyakumari and Tirunelveli districts of Tamil Nadu. It is also popular in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and to some extent in Western and Central India. In Bihar and other regions, it is popular as Lal Velchi while in Karnataka as Chandra Bale. The colour of the pseudostem, petiole, midrib and fruit rind is purplish red. It is a robust plant with bunches weighing 20-30 kg under good management practices. Fruits are sweet, orange yellow coloured and with a pleasant aroma. It is highly susceptible to bunchy top, fusarium wilt and nematodes.
Ney Poovan (AB) : Ney Poovan is the choicest diploid cultivar, which is under commercial mono cultivation on a large scale especially in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. In Kerala It is grown in backyards and now shifting to large-scale cultivation. Ney Poovan is a slender plant bearing bunches of 15-30 kg after 12-14 months. Dark green fruits turn golden yellow with a very good keeping quality. Fruit is highly fragrant, tasty, powdery and firm. Ney Poovan is tolerant to leaf spot but susceptible to Fusarium wilt and banana bract mosaic virus.
Virupakashi (AAB) : It is an elite variety in South India especially grown for table purpose in Palani and Shevroy hills of Tamil Nadu under perennial cultivation. It is a vigorous and hardy variety though not a prolific one. Fruits show a typical curvature, possess a pleasant aroma and delightful taste. Virupakshi has the characteristic flavour only when they are cultivated in higher elevation. In the mixed cultivation it is well suited as a shade plant for young coffee. It has many ecotypes like 'Sirumalai' (grown on hills), 'Vannan', 'Kali' etc. well suited for cultivation in plains. Perennial system of cultivation aggravates Banana Bunchy Top Virus (BBTV).
Pachanadan (AAB) : It is a popular variety in Tamil Nadu grown especially for its cooling effects in hot tracts in summer. The variety comes up well in marginal soils without any yield reduction. It is well suited as an intercrop in coconut/arecanut garden. The bunch weight ranges from 12-15 kg (after 11-12 months). Pachanadan could be used in the Nendran plantations for gap filling as it comes up for harvest along with Nendran. This variety is tolerant to leaf spot and Banana Bunchy Top Virus (BBTV) diseases, but susceptible to wilt disease.
Monthan (ABB) : It is a widely cultivated variety for processing. Monthan is a fairly tall and robust plant bearing bunches of 18-20 kg after 12 months. Fruits are bold, stocky, knobbed and pale green in colour. The skin is usually green. The new prolific 'Monthan' type clones of economic value namely 'Kanchi Vazhai' and 'Chakkia' are recently becoming popular in Tamil Nadu. Apart from its culinary use of fruits, pseudostem core is a highly relished vegetable with many medicinal properties. Monthan is also cultivated for production of leaves in Trichy and Tanjore districts of Tamil Nadu. It has many desirable qualities like immunity to Banana Bunchy Top Virus (BBTV) diseases, salt tolerance and normal bunch mass even under marginal condition, but it is highly susceptible to Fusarium wilt disease.
Karpuravalli (ABB) : It is a popular variety grown for table purpose in medium rich soils. Its commercial cultivation is spread over in Central and Southern districts of Tamil Nadu and Kerala. In Bihar, cultivation is in patches under the name 'Kanthali'. Karpuravalli is a tall, robust plant well suited to marginal lands and soils, produced under low input conditions. It is also the sweetest among Indian bananas. Karpuravalli is occasionally seeded depending on the seasonal variability. Its ash coated golden yellow and sweet fruits have good keeping quality. Karpuravalli is highly susceptible to wilt disease, tolerant to leaf spot disease and well suited for drought, salt affected areas and for low input conditions.
Safed Velchi Musa (A B Group) : This is considered a good quality fruit for table purpose and is cultivated in the Thane, Nasik districts of Maharashtra. It is grown under the shade of arecanut gardens in the South Kanara districts of Karanataka. This variety is mediumsized with slender yellowish green pseudostem and can be recognised by the reddish petiole margin, large fruits, very thin and papery rind and white firm flesh that is very sweet. The average bunch weight is about 12 kg with about 150 fruits/bunch. The duration of the variety is about 13 months.
Exotic Varieties : USA Dwarf Cavendish, Giant Cavendish, Pisang masak hijau, Ice Cream, 'Enano Gigante, Macho, Orinoco. Brazil Robusta, Santa Catarina Silver, Brazilian. China Dwarf Cavendish South Africa Dwarf Cavendish, Golden Beauty Australia Robusta, Williams, Cocos, East Africa,Thailand Bluggoe, Maricongo, Common Dwarf Philippines Common Dwarf, Philippine Lakatan Taiwan Giant Cavendish