Special practices in BANANA

  Special practices in BANANA

  Article by : Spandana jakkula        

Desuckering

Removal of surplus and unwanted suckers from banana plant is known as desuckering.

Suckers are removed from the mother either by cutting the sucker at ground level or by destroying the heart of the suckers without detaching the sucker from the plant.

              

Intercropping

Intercrops can easily be raised in the banana plantation. 

Radish, cauliflower, cabbage, spinach, chili, brinjal, colocasia, yam, Dioscorea, lady's finger, marigold, tuberose, papaya, areca nut, coffee, Rubber are commonly used as the ideal crops

                        

                                     Banana +Coffee

Propping

It is a method by which support is given to banana-bearing plants with the help of bamboo, casuarinas, or eucalyptus poles, protecting them from bending or falling down due to heavy bunch load & from heavy damage by wind. It is very essential for tall varieties.

             

Bunch covering

Bunch covering is an ancient practice. For centuries, old banana leaves have been wrapped around maturing bunches. In 1936 it was demonstrated that covering bunches with hessian protected them against winter chilling and improved fruit quality. Later, paper bags were used to a limited extent.

Why are bananas wrapped with paper Or with plastic bags? 

The plastic wrap helps contain ethylene gas, which bananas produce naturally while they ripen. Without the plastic wrap, the ethylene gas spreads to other parts of the fruit, helping it ripen faster. So basically, you're trapping the gas in order to prevent it from speeding up the ripening process.

              

 

Leaf removal

What is the reason behind removal of leaves in banana? 

Developing bananas need full sun to ripen, so cut off any leaves that are rubbing against the young bananas or completely shading them. Cut off any dead leaves to encourage new growth at the top of the tree. It takes more than a year for a banana stalk to set and ripen fruit.

   

                   

       Earthing up

What is earthing up? 

Earthing up should be done during the rainy season to provide drainage, and to avoid water logging at the base. During summer and winter, the plants should be in furrow and on ridges during rainy season.

                   

                        

         

Denavelling

What is denavelling? 

The operation of removal of male buds in banana is called Denavelling. Denavelling helps in fruit development and increases bunch weight.

                       

Mulching

The main types of mulch used in banana plantations are plant residues from the banana crop, or other crops, and polyethylene mulch. A 'living mulch' is the use of a cover crop.

                     

    

Mattoching

After harvesting the bunch, the plant stem should be cut in stages at least after 30-45 days to facilitate mobilization of the nutrients from the mother to the developing ratoon plant. The pseudostem should be cut leaving a stump of about 0.6m in height.

                       

Bunch Thinning

One to two small bottom hands should be removed from the bunch in order to facilitate uniform bunch development.  Keep only 7 to 8 hands.