Banana originated from south east of Asia
It belongs to family Musacea
The scientific name of banana is Musa Spp
BOTANICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF BANANA
It is a herbcious plant non woody
The fruit develop through parthenocarpy
The roots arise from underground rhizobium
ECOLOGICAL REQUIREMENTS
Altitude 0 – 1800 m A.S.L
Temperature 20oc-30oc
Bananas are very sensitive to low temperature
Soils – the soils should be deep and well fertile
Soil PH 5.5 -6.5
Rainfall optimum 1000-2500 well distributed during the growing period
VARITIES OF BANANA
| COOKING | RIPENING | BREWING |
| Uganda green | Sukari | bokoboko |
| Giant cavedish | Shirembe | kisumbi |
| gross miche | Nusu ngombe |
PROPAGATION
Bananas are propagated vegetatively using
- Suckers
- Tissue culture
FIELD ESTABLISHEMNT
Land preparation
Spacing ranges from 5.4 by 5.4 m depending on the variety
Preparation of holes
Dig 0.9 m by 0.9m by 0.9 m
Separate the top soil from the sub soil
Mix the top soil with 2 debes of farmyard manure and 250g of double super phosphate per hole return the mix back to the hole
planting
planting should be done at the onset of rains
the suckers should be planted at the center of the hole and firm well
FIELD MAINTANCE PRACTICES
- Weed control
- Establish wind brakes around the orchard
- Carry out mulching
- Pruning
Prun 4-5 suckers per stool as follows
First sucker
should be fruiting or almost fruiting
Second sucker
Just about to flower
Third sucker
It should be ¾ grown
Fourth sucker
It should be ½ grown
Firth sucker
It should be 60 – 100cm tall
- Removal of dry leaves
- Top dressing
Banana is a gross feeder since it requires large amount of nutrients
Apply
- 2 debes of farmyard manure per stool /year
- 113g of CAN per stool /year
- Apply 1000kg/ha of sulphate of potash
SPECIAL OPERATIONS OR PRACTICES ON BANANAS
- Propping
This involves use of a forked pole to support the heavy bunch (Y)
- Removal of male buds
This increases the bunch weight by 2-5%
- Bagging
Involves use of a plastic and transparent bag which is used to cover the bunch after maturity
The bag must be perforated for proper aeration
It protects the bunch from sun burn
Pest and disease attack
Rodent attack and also protect the bunch from cold
- De-handing
Involves the removal of the last and very small undeveloped fingers
- De-flowering
Involves the removal of dry remains of the inflorescence at the end of each finger
- Earthing up
Protects the banana planting from weed damage
Pest and disease
Pest
Banana weevil
Symptoms
the larvae feeds inside the vascular bundle making irregular tunnels inside the stem
leaves turn yellow dry and die prematurely
control
use clean and healthy planting materials
before planting the sucker deep, it in an instectidol solution before planting
Nematodes
They affect the roots in such away that they start rotting
The leaves turn yellow they dry and also die prematurely
Control
Thrim the roots before planting
Carry out soil fumigation to kill nematodes also soil analysis
Use healthy and clean planting materials
DISEASES
CIGAR END ROT
IT is a fungal disease which affects the flowers and late on penetrates into the ovary
It is favoured by high relative humidity
The tip of the finger undergoes a dry rot with unharshy appearance that looks like a burning cigar
Control
Carry out de flowering
Pruning to reduce relative humidity
Panama disease
it is a fungal disease that is soilable
leaves turn yellow and collapse while still green affected by plants fail to produce normal fruits and die before the bunch is well developed
control
use resistant variety giant
maintain field hygiene within the orchard
mulch 30cm away from the stool
MATURITY INDICES
They from angular to round
HARVESTING
Bananas are ready for harvesting 9- 15 months depending on the variety after planting
Cut well developed bunches very carefully while minimizing any mechanical damage
The entire stem should be cut and uprooted at the ground level
YIELDS
Bananas yields range from 17-20 tonnes per ha/year
Economic lifespan 8-10 years
