Banana Cultivation

Booklet No. 60 Fruit Production: FPS - 5 Contents

Preface I. Introduction II. Climate III. Soil IV. Varieties V. Propagation VI. Fertilizer Application VII. Irrigation VIII. Desuckering IX. Weed Control X. Cultural Practices XI. Crop Rotation XII. Intercropping XIII. Disease Control XIV. Pest Control XV. Flo ering and Fruiting XVI. !ar"esting and #ield XVII. $arketing and Storage XVIII. Artificial Ripening XIX. %ses and Composition XX. &conomics of Culti"ation

Preface
After ac'ie"ing self sufficienc( in food grain production) suppl( of nutritious and *alanced diet s'ould *e t'e 'ig'est priorit(. In India) t'e a"aila*ilit( of fruits per da( per capita is +, g onl( against a recommendation of -., grams. /anana is one of t'e most nutritious) energetic and delicious fruits of t'e orld. It is e0uall( suita*le *ot' for large scale culti"ation as ell as for 'ome scale culti"ation. Dr. K. T. C and!" #$ricultural % environ&ental 'ducation

(. (ntroduction
1'e *anana is considered to *e one of t'e most primiti"e ) culti"ated tropical fruits in India 'ic' ranks ne2t onl( to mango in area and production. It is not onl( t'e staple food of millions of people) *ut also t'e most important commercial fruit of t'e tropical areas of t'e orld no . 1'e culti"ated *anana is *otanicall( named as Musa paradisiaca *elonging to t'e famil( Musaceae. It is *elie"ed to 'a"e originated in t'e 'ot tropical regions of sout' east Asia. It is e2tensi"el( gro n in man( countries like $e2ico) &g(pt) Israel) Sout' Africa) Indonesia) P'ilippines) /razil) and Sri 3anka. 4e2t to /razil) India is t'e second largest *anana producing countr( in t'e orld. 1'e c'ief *anana gro ing states in India are5 $a'aras'tra) 6arnataka) 6erala) 1amil 4adu) And'ra Prades') 7rissa) /i'ar) West /engal and Assam. /anana occupies an area of a*out ..89 lak' 'ectares it' an annual production of +:..: lak' tonnes.

/anana is a ric' source of energ( in t'e form of sugars and starc') a"aila*le almost t'roug'out t'e (ear and is t'e c'eapest fruit in India. Almost all t'e parts of a *anana plant are useful and toda() it is t'e leading tropical fruit in t'e orld market it' a 'ig'l( organised and de"eloped industr(. ((. Cli&ate /anana is essentiall( a tropical plant re0uiring a arm 'umid climate) *ut it is adapted to a ide range of climatic conditions ranging from et tropical to dr( su*;tropical. It can gro successfull( from sea le"el to an altitude of -<,, metres. 1emperature pla(s an important role as t'e rate of ne leaf formation and fruit gro t' is largel( go"erned *( it It gro s ell at a temperature range of -,= to +,=C. !o e"er) a mean temperature of .:.>=C and -,, mm of rain per mont' are considered satisfactor(. Fre0uent rains and 'umid eat'er are prefera*le. 3o temperature) frost and ind storm are t'e limiting factors in successful *anana culti"ation. 3o temperature *elo l,o C is 'armful and repeated occurrence of cold a"es during t'e inter seriousl( interferes it' t'e normal gro t' of t'e plants. Storms and inds are also "er( 'azardous and sometimes result in complete uprooting of or *reakage of t'e pseudostem. !ot inds during summer mont's s'ed and desiccate t'e lea"es. (((. Soil /anana re0uires a ell drained) ric' in organic matter and moisture retenti"e soil for its proper gro t'. Dept' and drainage of soil are t'e t o most import criteria 'ic' need attention 'ile selecting soil for *anana culti"ation. 1'e soil s'ould *e ell drained and at least 9 ft deep. 1'us deep) ell drained) fria*le) loam( soil it' ade0uate organic matter is ideal for its culti"ation. It can gro in "ariet( of soil t(pes suc' as allu"ial soil) *lack loam) sand( loam and lateritic soil. It can gro ell in slig'tl( alkaline soils *ut salinit( a*o"e ,.,< ? is in@urious. (). )arieties $ore t'an 9,, "arieties of *anana are kno n in India. /anana can *e grouped into fi"e main categories. i. Dessert *ananas5 1'is group consists of ta*le "arieties for consumption as suc') after t'e( are ripe) eg. C'ampa) Rast'ali) Ro*usta) D arf Ca"endis') etc. ii. Culinar! *ananas5 1'ese *ananas can *e used onl( after cooking) suc' as $ont'an) /ankel. iii. )arieties suita*le for &akin$ c i+s) eg. 4endran. iv. )arieties for ,a& &akin$" eg. Virupaks'i. v. )arieties fit for &akin$ +o-ders A*a*( foodB) eg. 6unnan. Varieties commonl( gro n in different regions are gi"en *elo . i. Western and Central India5 /asrai) !aric'al) etc. ii. Sout'ern India5 Poo"an) D arf Ca"endis') Ro*usta) 4endran) Rast'ali) C'akrakeli) Virupaks'i) $ont'an. iii. &astern India5 6a*uli) C'ampa) 6ot'ia) /at'eesa) $artaman and Amrit sagar. i ". 4ort'ern India5 C'ampa) Rast'ali) /ankel) /at'esaand 6ot'ia. I

Description of some of t'e ma@or culti"ars of India is gi"en 'ere. .. Poovan 1'is is an important ta*le "ariet( of West /engal) 1amil 4adu and 6erala. 1'e plant is 'ard( and can gro "igorousl( under ratooning s(stem of culti"ation. 1'e distinguis'ing c'aracters of t'e plant is t'e rose pink colour of t'e outer side of t'e midri* 'en (oung) 'ea"( *unc'es it' closel( packed fruits 'ang do n "erticall(. It is 'ard( and can it'stand moisture stress. 1'e *unc' is medium to large sized) fruit is small) (ello skinned) firm fles'ed and of poor 0ualit(. It 'as a good keeping 0ualit( and can *e easil( transported to distant markets. It is resistant to Panama ilt and *unc'( top diseases. 1'e duration "aries from -- to -+ mont's. /" Bont a /ont'a is a leading commercial culinar( *anana "ariet( of India) particularl( of And'ra Prades'. 1'e plant is 'ard( and droug't resistant. It *ears a pendulous *unc' it' a markedl( long peduncle. Fruits are long it' good girt' in t'e middle) plump) angulate) straig't it' *lunt or kno**ed ape2. Rind is t'ick and green. 1'e *unc' contains large fruits in t'e pro2imal upper 'ands *ut it' smaller fruits in t'e lo er 'and. %nripe fruits are used for making c'ips. It is resistant to leafspot *ut is suscepti*le to Panama disease. 0. D-arf Cavendis D arf Ca"endis') also called /asrai) is a leading commercial i "ariet( of $a'aras'tra and important commercial culti"ar of Cu@arat i and West /engal. 1'e plants are d arf arid t'us less prone to storm Ii damage. 1'e plants s'o good response to 'ea"( manuring) t'us gi"e 'ea"( (ield it' proper manuring and orc'ard management practices. 1'e *unc'es are large sized) compact it' good grade I fruits. 1'e fruits are large and good in 0ualit( and turn (ello on ripening in inter *ut remain green during t'e summer mont's. It 'as a poor keeping 0ualit( and t'e fruits easil( get *ruised and 5 damaged during transportation unless 'andled carefuIl(. It is resistant to Panama ilt *ut suscepti*le to *unc'( top disease. 1'e duration is -,;-. mont's in 1amil 4adu and -: mont's under Poona conditions. D arf Ca"endis' is an important *anana in international trade. 1. 2o*usta 34iant Cavendis 5 Ro*usta is a semi tall sport of D arf Ca"endis'. It is gro n mostl( in 1amil 4adu and some pD of And'ra Prades' and $a'aras'tra. Fruits are large) skin t'ick) greenis' to dull (ello ) pulp s eet and delicious. Fruits 'a"e a *etter keeping 0ualit( t'an D arf Ca"endis'. 1'is "ariet( is gaining popularit( in parts of 6erala replacing E4endranE *( "irtue of its 'ea"ier *unc' eig't. It is a 'ea"( (ielder and re0uires support or staking. 1'is "ariet( is used for large scale e2port. 5. 2ast ali 1'is is anot'er commercial culti"ar gro n idel( in est /engal) And'ra Prades') 1amil 4adu and 6arnataka. Rast'fi is t'e c'oicest ta*le "ariet( of West /engal. Fruits are medium sized and similar to t'at of Poo"an in appearance. Skin t'in) (ello in colour) fles' firm and s eet it' a pleasant aroma. Due to its *etter root s(stem) it can resist strong ind *etter t'an ot'er "arieties. Its suscepti*ilit( to ilt) and eas( dropping of fruits from t'e *unc' and formation of 'ard lump in t'e pulp are t'e main dra *acks. 1'e duration is from -< to -: mont's from planting to maturit(. 6. )iru+aks i Virupaks'i is a famous perennial *anana gro n in t'e Palni 'ills of 1amil 4adu. It is "er( muc' liked for its good fla"our and keeping 0ualit(. It is gro n in t'e Palni 'ills Aat lo er

ele"ationsB as a rain fed crop mostl( mi2ed it' coffee. It is a "igorous and 'ard( *anana t'oug' not a 'ea"( (ielder. 7nl( 'en culti"ated in 'ig'er ele"ations) Virupaks'i 'as t'e c'aracteristic fla"our) 'ic' is not found in t'e fruits gro n in t'e plains. In t'e mi2ed culti"ation) it fits in ell as a s'ade plant for (oung coffee plants. It is resistant to leaf spot disease *ut suscepti*le to *unc'( top 'ic' is affecting its production. 6. Nendran 4endran is an important commercial culti"ar in 6erala and) to some e2tent. 1amil 4adu. It is also used as a culinar( "ariet(. 4endran *ananas are moderatel( "igorous ) it' slender angular) pointed fruits it' starc'( fles' e"en 'en t'e( are ripe. 1'e( are resistant to Panama ilt and leaf spot diseases *ut "er( suscepti*le to attack *( *orers. 1'e fruits are relati"el( longer and t'icker t'an most ot'er *ananas. 1'e duration is --;-. mont's after planting. 7. Safed )elc i 1'is is a "ariet( it' good 0ualit( fruits and is under stra( culti"ation t'roug'out Sout' India and $a'aras'tra. It is gro n as an intercrop in coconut and arecanut plantations. 1'e plants of t'is "ariet( are medium sized it' (ello is' pseudostem 'a"ing reddis' petiole margin. 1'e fruits are small) firm fles'ed and s eet. 1'e duration is a*out -9 mont's. 8. 9al Kela 1'e "ariet( is gro n t'roug'out t'e orld. In India) t'is "ariet( is gro n in /om*a( region of $a'aras'tra. 1'e colour of t'e pseudostem) petiole) midri* and fruit rind is purplis' red. 1'e fruit is of good size and 'as a strong fla"our. 1'e rind is t'ick and during ripening colour c'anges from red to orange (ello . It is a long duration "ariet( and takes a*out -8 mont's from planting to 'ar"est E .0. Kunnan 1'is is a superior dessert "ariet( of 6erala. Plants are medium sized and fruits 'a"e t'in rind) fles' is firm and it tastes ell. 1'e fruits are irregularl( cur"ed it' unusuall( long ape2. ... #&rit Sa$ar 1'is is considered as t'e c'oicest "ariet( of India and gro n in West /engal. 1'e plant is medium sized and delicate in nature. Fruit size is good it' a good taste) and t'e rind is medium t'ick. ./. C akarakeli 1'is is considedred to *e a c'oice "ariet( of And'ra Prades'. Plants are slender and medium sized it' petiole *orders open and prominentl( red. 1'e fruit 'as a c'aracteristic cur"ature it' a prominent ape2. 1'e rind is t'ick) pulp (ello is' and "er( tast(. .0. 4ros :ic el 1'is "ariet( ranks first among t'e dessert *anana "arieties of t'e orld. 1'is is a recent introduction into sout'ern India. It is suita*le for culti"ation onl( under garden land conditions *ecause its cultural re0uirements are "er( 'ig'. 1'erefore) culti"ators are not attracted to t'is "ariet(. !o e"er) it produces 'ea"( s(mmetrical *unc'es t'at permit unpacked transport. It is also suscepti*le to Panama ilt disease. .1. 4iant 4overnor Its culti"ation is *ecoming popular in West /engal. 1'e plant is medium d arf) fruits large) greenis' to dull (ello in colour) fles' ; firm and s eet. 1'is "ariet( is suscepti*le to leaf spot disease *ut resistant to Panama ilt

). Pro+a$ation
/anana is "egetati"el( propagated *( means of suckers) 'ole or *its of r'izomes of t'e parent plant or daug'ter suckers it' at least one sprouting *ud. #. Selection or +lantin$ &aterial 1'ere are t o kinds of suckers in *anana "iz. s ord suckers and ater suckers. S ord suckers 'a"e a ell de"eloped *ase it' narro s ord s'aped leaf *lades in t'e earl( stages) 'ereas ater suckers are small) undersized suckers it' *road lea"es of superficial origin. !ealt'( s ord sucker of 9;+ mont's old is t'e *est planting material *ecause it is more "igorous) gro s faster and comes to *earing earlier. For 0uick multiplication of a "ariet() r'izome *its cut from a 'ealt'( un*ranc'ed r'izome after trimming roots) eac' it' a germinating e(e centrall( placed can *e used. Prefera*l( it s'ould *e of a good size to ensure t'e reser"e food for earl( gro t'. 1'e daug'ter r'izomes of D arf Ca"endis' *ananas can *e stored for t o mont's after 'ar"est of t'e *unc' and keeping t'em in s'ade co"ered it' dr( *anana lea"es. In 6erala) r'izomes of E4endranE Iare sun dried for .;9 da(s after smearing it' .co dung paste and as'es. 1'en t'e( are stored in s'ade for a mont' *efore planting. B. Pre+aration of land 1'e land s'ould *e deepl( ploug'ed) 'arro ed and le"eled properl(. Pits of ,.:m 2 ,.:m 2 ,.:m size are dug) so t'at t'e suckers are planted it' r'izome F to -. inc'es *elo t'e soil surface. 1'e land is manured earl( *efore planting) using upto -,, tonnes of farm(ard manure per 'ectare. Creen manuring t'e land it' leguminous crops *efore planting is ad"isa*le to increase t'e soil fertilit(. C. Plantin$ Planting ma( *e done t'roug'out t'e (ear e2cept in se"ere inter and during 'ea"( rains. !o e"er) Fe*ruar( April) August and 7cto*er are t'e *est mont's for *anana planting. 1'e distance of planting "aries according to t'e 'eig't and spread of t'e "ariet() soil fertilit() topograp'( Dd t'e gro t' s'o n in a particular localit(. A spacing of..> m 2 9.,m for tall "arieties and -.8 m 2 -.8 . m for d arf "arieties are found most suita*le. Dense planting it' closer spacing *esides controlling eeds and pro"iding protection against indstorm gi"es a good return pro"ided proper management practices are follo ed. !ig' profit from *anana culti"ation can *e taken it'out ratooning t'e crop t'roug' 'ig'er plant population A-,),,, plantsG'aB ie -m 2 -m spacing. For planting) 'ealt'( s ord suckers prefera*l( of 9 ft 'eig't s'ould *e selected. All t'eir lea"es and roots are remo"ed and generall( .G9rd of t'eir pseudostem is also cut off. 1'e pseudostem of t'e suckers is cut off close to t'e *ul*. 1'ese *ul*s are planted it' t'e 'eart *ud pointing up. 1o pre"ent t'e attack of nematodes and stem ee"il) t'e *ul* or corm s'ould *e dipped in cla( slurr( and Furadan H ., to +, g per sucker s'ould *e sprinkled o"er) depending upon t'e size of t'e *ul*. Planting is done eit'er on flat land or trenc'es. 1'e *asal portion of t'e suckers is co"ered it' soil firml( packed and irrigated immediatel(. After planting one or t o irrigations ma( *e gi"en at +;< da(s inter"al. 1'e land is culti"ated and eart'ing up of t'e plants is done 'en suckers *egin sprouting. 1'is is especiall( important in t'e s'allo planted dormant *ul*s of /asrai. 1'e site D for *anana planting s'ould *e pro"ided it' a ind *reak.

)(. Fertili;er #++lication

/anana *eing a 'ea"( feeder needs fertilizers in large 0uantities./anana responds ell to nitrogen application) and top dressing it' oilcakes and sulp'ate of ammonia to indi"idual plants during t'e first si2 mont's) gi"es good result. Compost or farm(ard manure -<;., kg per pit along it' .<, g superp'osp'ate and .<, g of muriate of potas' s'ould *e applied and t'oroug'l( mi2ed it' t'e pit soil. 4itrogen s'ould *e applied in small doses at s'ort inter"als 'ile p'osp'orus at planting time and potas' at t o split doses) one at planting time and anot'er at t'e time of initiation of flo ers. 1'e nutrient re0uirement "aries from place to place and "ariet( to "ariet(. 1'e general recommendations on t'e nutrient re0uirement of *anana in different states of India are gi"en in t'e 1a*le -. 1a*le -5 Recommendations a*out 4) P.7< and 6.7 re0uirements of *anana. Sl.4o . 9 + < State 1amil 4adu 6erala 6arnataka $a'aras'tra Coa Rate 6gG'a CGplant 6gG'a 6gG'a CGplant 4 --, ..< 99: 9<, +,, P.7< 9< ..< ..+ ; .,, 6.7 99, ..< ..+ ->< +,,

Application of manures and fertilizers in *anana s'ould *e done *efore planting in t'e pit for initiation of gro t' and also *efore initiation of inflorescence. In et land area) *est results from fertilizer applications are o*tained 'en t'e( are gro n in split doses as indicated *elo . -st dose ;+,;<, da(s after planting .nd dose ;>,;8, da(s after planting 9rd dose ;--,;-., da(s after planting

)((. (rri$ation
/anana re0uires large amount of ater for its optimum gro t' and (ield. 1'e soil s'ould ne"er *e allo ed to dr( completel(. Cenerall( in inter) irrigation is gi"en at an inter"al of -,;-. da(s and in summer at <;> da(s. In Inland areas) *anana re0uires +, to <, irrigations from t'e time of planting till 'ar"est. Irrigation is not re0uired during rain( season i.e. Iul(;August. Water stagnation s'ould *e a"oided especiall( during t'e rain( season. 1o drain off e2cess ater during t'e rains) trenc'es are dug *et een alternate ro s 'ic' later on ser"e as irrigation c'annels. /asin met'od of irrigation is commonl( follo ed in India 'ic' is economical. )(((. Desuckerin$ W'en t'e plants start gro ing) a num*er of side suckers sprout from t'e r'izome of *anana plant 'ic' compete it' fruiting and s'ould *e remo"ed. 1'is operation of remo"al of un anted suckers of *anana is kno n as desuckering. 1'is can *e = done *( cutting t'e suckers at ground le"el it' a cro *ar 'a"ing J) c'isel like end and t'en pour . to 9 drops of kerosene oil in t'e central core to kill t'e gro ing point of pseudostem. 1'e desuckering of t'e @ sprouted suckers s'ould *e continued till t'e emergence of spat'e in l t'e main plant. After flo ering) one sucker is allo ed to gro and i at maturit( of fruits) anot'er sucker is allo ed to gro . In general) not more t'an t o suckers per clump s'ould *e retained at an( time. (<. =eed Control

Regular eeding is essential in t'e earl( stages of gro t' of ) *anana plant. Itcan *e done manuall( *( gi"ing four spadings a (ear. %sing mulc'es like padd( stra also suppresses t'e gro t' of eeds. Weedicides suc' as Diuron and Crama2one 'a"e also *een effecti"e in controlling t'e eeds in /anana. Diuron H 9 kgG'a A9 kg of Diuron in -).,, litres of aterB is spra(ed *efore t'e eeds emerge and 'en t'e plants are -;. mont' old. A spra( of Cram a2one I H -.< lG'a A-.<, litres in -).,, litres of aterB is gi"en after si2 Df mont's of Diuron spra() 'en t'e eeds are <;: cm tall

<. Cultural Practices

..'art in$ u+ &art'ing up s'ould *e done once in .;9 mont's prefera*l( during t'e rain( season to pro"ide drainage) a"oid ater logging at t'e *ase of t'e plants and to pre"ent soil erosion from t'e *asins. /. Pro++in$ /anana plants are pro"ided it' supports of *am*oo or casuarina poles 'ic' *ecomes essential at t'e time of *unc' emergence. It pre"ents t'e uprooting of t'e *unc' and loss due to ind. 0. Ti++in$ of floral +arts 1'e tipping or remo"al of it'ered floral parts *( 'and) 'as pro"ed effecti"e in controlling t'e fruit tip disease and also in increasing attracti"eness of t'e *unc'es. 1'is can *e done *et een 8;-. da(s after *unc' emergence. 1.Tras &$ Dried and deca(ed lea"es and ot'er plant parts s'ould *e remo"ed as and 'en t'e( appear to keep t'e plantation clean and ifK a"oid t'e incidence of pests and diseases. 5. :ettackin$ $ettacking is t'e process of remo"ing 'ar"ested plants. cK@Ec /unc'es mature in --, to -9, da(s after flo ering depending upon t'e culti"ars. 6. :ulc in$ 1o conser"e soil moisture and to a"oid ater loss) mulc'ing) it' dr( *anana lea"es and 'eat or padd( stra in t'e *asins of *anana 'as *een found to *e effecti"e.

<(. Cro+ 2otation

Perennial crop of *anana *( ratooning can *e o*tained from t'e same field for se"eral (ears. 4ormall() a plantation is retained Ii for a*out 9;< (ears. 1'e land "acated *( a perennial plantation s'ould *e re@u"enated for a*out a couple of (ears *( planting less Ii= e2'austing annual crops 'ic' do not re0uire irrigation. /anana J field can *e rotated it' padd( ).sugarcane) cereals) cotton) tapioca) s eet potato) groundnut and ragi. /asral D arf IS al a(s planted for one crop onl( on a ne piece of land 'ic' 'as *een under a dr( rainfed cereal crop in t'e pre"ious (ear. Similarl() "ariet( 4endran is planted afres' on a ne piece of land on 'ic' *anana 'as not *een gro n for at least t'ree (ears.

<((. (ntercro++in$

Intercrops can *e gro n easil( at t'e earl( stage of gro t' in *anana plantation. /anana itself ser"es as a good intercrop in coconut) and arecanut plantations. Vegeta*les like *rin@al) colocasia) (am) dioscorea) c'illi) cauliflo er) radis') ca**age) cucur*itaceous "egeta*les and okra can *e gro n as intercrop. /anana is also gro n as a s'ade plant for coffee) cocoa) ru**er) orange and (oung mango trees.

<(((. Disease Control

/anana is infected *( man( diseases. For con"enience) t'ese 'a"e *een categorised into fungal) *acterial and "iral diseases. #. Fun$al diseases .. 9eaf s+ot or Si$atoka disease It is caused *( Mycosphaerella musicola. 1'e disease is common and is distri*uted t'oug'out t'e *anana gro ing areas of t'e orld. S!&+to&s5 1'e first s(mptoms appear on lea"es it' t'e appearance of lig't (ello is' spots 'ic' later on enlarge. 1'e centre of t'e spot dries) *ecome lig't gre() *ut a narro dark *ro n margin persists gi"ing it an e(e spot appearance. Sometimes t'e entire leaf is affected and is seen 'anging do n. In case of se"ere infection) t'e *unc'es are smaller) fingers are undersized) immature and angular and ma( fall do n from t'e pseudostem due to rotting of its stalk. Spread of disease is fa"oured *( arm rain( or 'umid eat'er. Control5 a. Impro"e drainage) control eeds) remo"e suckers and adopt correct spacing of t'e "arieties. Appl( fertilizers in optimum dosage. Remo"e infected lea"es and tras'. *. Spra(ing of Di t'ane $;+< A,..?B or Dit'ane $;+< L mineral oil or /enlate L mineral oil gi"e t'e *est control) follo ed *( t'e /ordeau2 mi2ture A<5<5<,B at an inter"al of -< da(s. /. Ci$ar end rot Its causal organism is Verticillium theobromae. 1'e disease is transmitted *( Eair;*orne spores found in t'e de*ris of t'e *anana field S!&+to&s5 A *lack necrosis de"elops from t'e periant' and spreads into t'e tips of immature fingers. 1'e necrotic tissues get co"ered it' fungus and resem*le t'e gre(is' as' of t'e cigar end 1'e pulp tissue undergoes a dr( rot) "er( c'aracteristic of t'e pat'ogen and is reduced to a dr( fi*rous condition. /lock pitting and spotting of t'e fruits also occur. Control: &ffecti"e control is ac'ie"ed *( application of /enlate and $/C A$et'(l;.) *enzimidazole car*onateB at ,.,<? concentration. 0. :ain stalk rot A *lack soft rot *egins at t'e pro2imal end of t'e main stalk of t'e *unc'. Affected parts s'ri"el and dr( up. In se"ere infection) premature ripening of fruit occurs. Rot generall( occurs due to sun scald. Control: a. Protect t'e stalk it' t'e last spat'e leaf at t'e cur"ature from sun scald. *. Spra(ing of Dit'ane $;+< or Dit'ane M; >8 controls t'e disease. 0. Pana&a -ilt

Panama ilt is caused *( Fusarium oxysporum "ar. cubense.It is a soil *orne disease and is more serious in poorl( drained soil. It is t'e most destructi"e disease attacking t'e plant at an( stage of its gro t'. ) S!&+to&s5 &2ternal s(mptoms of t'e disease consist of successi"e ilting or dr(ing up of t'e lea"es. Sudden (ello ing of lo er lea"es including petiole is o*ser"ed 'ic' later on is seen 'anging it'ered around t'e pseudostem. #ello is' to reddis' streaks are noticed it' intensification of colour to ards t'e r'izome. W'ere a *unc' of fruit 'as *een formed. t'e fruits *ecome *ottle necked. Suc' fruits mature une"enl( and too rapidl(. Control5 a. %se disease free suckers for planting. *. %proot and *um t'e infected plants. c. Flooding of t'e field for a minimum period of si2 mont's and t'en crop rotation it' padd( for 9;+ (ears is also recommended. d. Drenc'ing of pits it' Vapam 8<, g in -,, litres of ater a mont' *efore planting 'elps in eradication of inoculum. e. In t'e infected soil) mi2 0uick limeH - part of lime to to 9 parts of soil. f. Dipping of suckers in /a"istin or I6 Stein A,.- ?B solutions *efore planting follo ed *( drenc'ing of plants is also recommended. B. Bacterial disease .. Bacterial soft rot 1'is is a minor *acterial disease caused *( Erwinia spp. It affects t'e r'izome and pseudostem. S!&+to&s5 Rotting of t'e centre or a portion of t'e r'izome occurs emitting a foul smell. 1'e rotting progresses up t'e pseudostem causing internal deca() often it' "ascular discolouration. #ello ing and ilting of t'e lea"es also occurs. Control5 Soil drenc'ing it' *leac'ing po der is *eneficial.

/. Bacterial -ilt or :oko disease Its causal organism is Pseudo&onas solanacearu&. S!&+to&s5 1'e presence of (ello fingers in an ot'er ise green stem often indicates t'e presence of $ako disease. W'en (oung lea"es are infected t'e( *ecome pale green or (ello and collapse near t'e @unction of t'e lamina. Fruit rot) fruit stalk "ascular discolouration) ilted or *lackened re;gro t' of suckers) *lackened and dead male flo ers) *uds etc. are some c'aracteristic s(mptoms of t'is disease. Control 5 a. Completel( destro( t'e diseased plant and uproot t'e neig'*ouring 'ealt'( plants 'ic' ma( 'a"e contacted t'e disease. *. Insects transmitting t'e disease can *e controlled *( remo"ing t'em from t'e main a2is *efore t'e *unc' matures. c. !er*icides) ego .)+;D and .)+)<; 1 can *e used to kill t'e infected plants. d. Dieldrin spra( pre"ent insects transmitting t'e disease to t'e unaffected plants.

C. )iral diseases .. Bunc ! to+ /unc'( top is one of t'e most destructi"e "iral disease) transmitted to 'ealt'( plants *( t'e ap'id (Pentalonia nigronervosa). It is idel( spre.d in 6arnataka) 1amil 4adu) 6erala and $a'aras'tra. D arf *ananas are "er( suscepti*le to t'e disease. S!&+to&s5 1'e le."es of a *adl( infected plants are *unc'ed toget'er at t'e top) forming a rosette. $argins of t'e le.f are a"( and slig'tl( rolled up ards. 1'e infected plants remain markedl( stunted and do not produce an( *unc' of commercial "alue. 1'e presence of uninterrupted dark green streaks along t'e secondar( "eins of t'e lamina or petiole is a c'aracteristic s(mptom of t'e *unc'( top. Control5 a. Spra( kerosene oil till it reac'es t'e psudostem) one da( *efore rouging t'e infected plant to kill t'e ap'id. *. Spra( t'e neig'*ouring *anana plants upto a distance of <, ft it' Rogor A,.,<?B or $etas(sto2 A,.,<?B to kill ap'id and a"oid t'e spread of t'e disease. c. %proot t'e plants from t'e *ase and c'op t'e pseudostem into small pieces and *urn or *ur( t'em in a pit. /. :osaic or infectious c lorosis 1'is disease is caused *( strains of cucum*er mosaic "irus transmitted *( ap'ids. It is endemic in estern India. S!&+to&s5 1'e most cartelistic s(mptom is t'e c'lorotic or (ello is' green patc'es or t'e mottling o"er t'e entire surface of (oung lea"es. As t'e disease progresses) lea"es emerge miss'apen. 3eaf margin is irregularl( 'ea"() often it' *lotc'es or necrotic tissue and t'e lamina is reduced in idt'. 3eaf "eins t'icken a*normall( and *ecome prominent. 3eaf s'eat's also pull a a( from t'e pseudostem easil(. /unc'es 'en formed are miss'apen) 'ang 'orizontall( and consists of merel( t o or t'ree fingers in most se"ere cases. Control5 a. Dr( 'eat treatment at +ANEC for a da( is useful in curing infected r'izomes. *. Cro resistant "arieties and species like At'i(a 6ol) 6aru /ale) M. balbisiana. M. coccinia. M.acumznala etc.

<(). Pest Control

#. (nsect +ests Insects are t'e common pests attacking t'e *anana plantations. Some of t'ese ma@or pests include r'izome ee"il) pseudostem ee"il) flea *eetle) and ap'id. . .. Flea*eetle 1 o species of flea *eetles "iz !odostoma subcastatum and !. viridipennis are reported on *anana from India. 1'e adult *eetle feeds on t'e unfolded tender lea"es and fruits. 1'ese appear around April;$a( and are acti"e till Septem*er;7cto*er. 1'e central top 'orl lea"es are orst affected. 1'e fruits *ecome unmarketa*le due to t'e feeding in@ur( made *( t'e pests. Control5

a. Clean culti"ation and p'(tosanitation measures s'ould *e adopted. *. Spra(ing of ,.,<? &ndosulp'an or ,.- ? Car*ar(l immediatel( after emergence of ne foliage and during fruiting period at an inter"al of -< da(s is effecti"e in controlling t'e pest. /. 2 i;o&e -eevil 1'e lar"a or gru* of *anana ee"il) *orer ("osmopolitus sordidusB makes tunnel into t'e r'izome of t'e *anana plant Sometimes lar"al tunnel e2tends from r'izome to fruit stalk. In@ur( to t'e corm pre"ents t'e flo of nouris'ment to t'e plant) and t'e lea"es turn (ello ) it'er and die prematurel(. Control5 a. Dip t'e plant material in $onocrotop'os A,.-?B solution *efore planting. *. Dust /!C -,?H ., g plant on t'e surface of t'e pseudostem and mi2 t'em in t'e soil. 0. Pseudoste& -eevil 1'is is anot'er serious and specific pest of *anana common in Assam) West /engal) /i'ar) Del'i and %ttar Prades'. 1'e gru* feeds on t'e leaf s'eat' and *ores into t'e pseudostem. 1'e pseudostem t'us damaged *ecomes eak and starts rotting. 1'e pest is acti"e during t'e summer and monsoon seasons. Control a. %proot and *um t'e infested plants. *. In t'e initial stage of infestation) insert aluminium p'osp'ate ta*lets H t'ree ta*lets of ,.< g cac' per pseudostem. 1. #+ id Ap'ids are serious pests of *anana 'ic' act as "ector of t'e "irus causing *unc'( top disease. 1'e( are commonl( spread in eastern and sout'ern parts of t'e countr(. 1'e( are seen aggregated under t'e outer leaf *ase on pseudostem and around t'e cro n of t'e plants. Control5 a. Remo"e and destro( t'e "irus affected plants. *. Spra( ,.,9? p'osp'amidon or Dic'lor"os to kill t'e ap'ids. B. Ne&atodes 1 o species of important and destructi"e nematodes "iz *urro ing nematode ARadop'olus similusB and spiral nematode A!elicot(lenc'us multicinctusB restrict t'e culti"ation of *anana in almost all t'e *anana gro ing regions of t'e orld. 1'ese attack t'e roots and r'izomes of t'e *anana plant causing e2tensi"e root necrosis and ultimatel( affecting t'e entire plant 1'e affected plants do not respond to fertilizers) irrigation or cultural practices as a result of 'ic' retarded gro t') (ello ing of lea"es and falling of mature plants occur. Also) t'e *urro ing nematode causes diseases like r'izome rot) root rot) *lack 'ead) toppling disease and decline. Control5 a. Dip t'e *anana suckers in mud slurr( Amade *( mi2ing +, litres of cla( in <, litres of aterB and sprinkle it' Car*ofuranH -. g Aa. iB or Aldicar* = H -., g Aa. i.B per sucker. 1'e suckers s'ould *e dried in s'ade and used for planting. *. Disinfect t'e suckers after paring *( dipping t'em in a 'ot ater*at' at <<7C for -, minutes. c. Plant certified nematode free sets o*tained eit'er *( 'eat treatment) paring or selection.

d. Crop rotation s'ould *e follo ed *( planting sugarcane after t'e destruction of t'e infected plants) 'ic' eliminates t'e nematodes after -, eeks. e. Soil application of Aldicar* or Car*ofuran H. kg Aa.iB per 'a is useful. f. Cro nematode resistant "arieties for ego =/odies Altaport= Aa cross *et een =Cros $ic'el= and =Pisang 3ilin=B.

<). Flo-erin$ and Fruitin$

%nder fa"oura*le conditions *anana plant normall( starts flo ering in F;-, mont's after planting and takes 9;+ mont's for *unc' maturit(. 1'e inflorescence consists of different t(pe of flo ers i.e. female) male) and 'ermap'rodite in t'e same floral stalk. 1'e inflorescence initiation takes place from t'e 'eart of t'e pseudo;stems. 1'e *asal nodes of t'e inflorescence *ear female i ApistillateB flo ers and t'e upper nodes *ear male AstaminateB flo ers. 1'e common t(pe of inflorescence is t'e one in 'ic' t'e *asal portion *ears pistillate flo ers 'ic' de"elop into fruits follo ed *( deciduous staminate flo ers) ego =Poo"anE) $ont'an) etc. In anot'er group) t'e 'ole inflorescence *ears pistillate flo ers) 'ic' de"elop into fruits) eg 1'attila) 6unnan) Ai(iranka) Rast'ali etc. In an ot'er group) t'e *asal flo ers de"elop into fruits follo ed *( persistant male flo ers consisting of green rudimentar( o"aries it' persistant periant' and *racts) ego D arf Ca"endis') 4endran) etc. Pollination is mainl( *( *ees and *irds 'ic' "isit t'e flo ers for nectar. 1'e fruit of t'e *anana is eit'er seeded or "egetati"el( part'enocarpic i.e. de"elops it'out pollination. 1'e "ast ma@orit( of edi*le *ananas are part'enocarpic.

<)(. >arvestin$ and ?ield

W'en picked green at full maturit() *anana fruits gi"e t'e *est ripening result. 1'erefore) t'e( are 'ar"ested at t'is stage. 1'ere are a fe maturit( standards suc' as dr(ing off top lea"es) c'anging in colour of t'e fruit from deep green to lig'ter green) s'edding of t'e floral end of t'e fruit *( slig't *rus' it' t'e 'and) and 'en t'e ridges on t'e surface of t'e skin c'ange from angular to round after attainment of 9G+t' full stage. 4um*er of da(s from emergence of inflorescence or s'ooting Ai.e F, to -., da(s *anana takes to mature after s'ootingB and pulp to skin ratio are also good indications of *anana maturit(. Pulp to skin ratio "aries from "ariet( to "ariet() eg. D arf Ca"endis' *ananas at t'ree 0uarters full maturit( s'o s a pulpGskin ratio of -.9< to -.+,. Cenerall( t'e d arf "arieties are read( for 'ar"esting it'in lI to -+ mont's after planting) 'ile tall "arieties take a*out -+ to -: mont's to *e 'ar"ested. For 'ar"esting) t'e *unc' is cut *( a s'arp sickle from t'e plant) lea"ing 9,;+, cm of t'e fruit stalk to ser"e as a 'andle. 1'e *unc'es s'ould not *e cut until t'e( are @ust read( to *e transported. 1'e (ield "aries depending upon t'e "ariet() plant densit() soil fertilit( and cultural practices. 1'e fruit (ield is roug'l( .<;<, i tonnes per 'a on an a"erage) -8 to .< tonnesG'a in t'e case of tall "arieties like C'ampa and $artaman and <,;:< tonnesG'a in t'e case of Ro*usta. !o e"er) a good *unc' ill contain -F,;.,, fingers on an a"erage.

<)((. :arketin$ and Stora$e

/efore taking to markets) grading fruits is necessar(. Crading in *anana is done according to size) num*er of fingers) ripening and maturit( stages and general appearance of t'e fingers. Immediate marketing of *anana fruits ma( not *e possi*le and) as suc') storage of fruits ma( *ecome necessar(.

At room temperature) *anana 'ar"ested at t'ree;fourt' maturit( can *e stored ell for < to > da(s. !o e"er) t'e( can *e stored at -9 oC temperature it' a relati"e 'umidit( of 8< to F<? for a*out t'ree eeks. 1'e storage life of *anana can *e prolonged *( using sealed pol(t'ene *ags containing et'(lene a*sor*ene like purafil Apotassium permanganate a*sor*er on an inert materialB. A pre;storage dip in O;F.:> emulsifia*le mineral oil at ,.+? 'as *een found effecti"e in reducing fruit deca( and also prolonging storage life.

<)(((. #rtificial 2i+enin$

/anana is ripened artificiall( *( se"eral met'ods in different parts of t'e countr(. Fruits for local consumption are ripened *( 'anging t'e *unc'es in a s'ad( place. Smoking it' stra ) lea"es and co dung is done in a closed c'am*er it' *unc'es arranged in a 'eap for -8;.+ 'ours in summer and +8 'ours in inter to induce ripening in $a'aras'tra and 1amil 4adu. Ripening *( co"ering t'e *unc'es it' gunn( sacks and appl(ing et'(lene at a concentration of one part per t'ousand 'elps in initiating ripening of *anana. Commerciall() ripening of *anana is initiated *( using "arious c'emical su*stances suc' as .)+;D A.)+) dic'lorop'eno2(acetic acidB H -,,, ppm for -, seconds. Calcium car*ide is anot'er c'emical used for t'e large scale artificial ripening of *anana fruits.

<(<. @ses and Co&+osition

/anana is t'e c'eapest and most nouris'ing of all fruits. It 'as got a num*er of uses. Almost all t'e parts of *anana are useful in some or ot'er a(s. Various industrial and medicinal uses of *anana are summarized 'ere. #. (ndustrial i&+ortance I. /anana is used in t'e processing industr( to prepare products suc' as *anana pulp) canned slices)@am) flakes) @uice) *anana figs) c'ips) fruit *ar) po der) etc. .. It is a flouris'ing industr( in certain areas of 1amil 4adu 'ere *anana is culti"ated e2clusi"el( for lea"es to make dinner plates and rapping material. 9. /anana s'eat's and lea"es are used for making crude ropes. +. Starc' is manufactured from t'e pseudostem. <. %sed in t'e food industr() eg. for preparing *a*( food from 6unnan and 4endran "arieties. :. %nripe *anana fruits as ell as t'e inner core of t'e pseudostem are used for cooking as "egeta*le. >. %sed in t'e manufacture of *eer and Apure and denaturedB + alco'ol. 8. #east of good 0ualit( can *e made out of *anana flour 'ic' can replace malt in *re eries. F. 1'e @uice from t'e pseudostem can *e used in d(eing industr(. -,. Fi*re production and paper making from fi*re are commercial possi*ilities. J .5 --. /anana is used as feed for cattle and pigs in some countries. -.. It is one of t'e largest single trade items in International fruit trade. B. :edicinal values -. /anana flour made into gruel and diluted it' milk is good for patients suffering from gastritis. .. /anana as' is ric' in alkaline salts and) t'erefore) c'ecks acidit( in stomac') 'eart *um and colic pains. 9. Ripe fruits taken it' tamarind and salt are said to control d(senter(. +. Fruits of EPoo"anE are *elie"ed to *e good e"en for dia*etics.

<. %lcers are cured *( smearing a paste of aromatic and s eet ;fruits of De"akadali "ariet( of *anana. :. A(ur"edic medicines are prepared from ripe *anana fruits.

<<. 'cono&ics of Cultivation

Culti"ation of *anana is a 'ig'l( pa(ing agricultural "enture. Cenerall() a farmer can generate Rs 9< to +, t'ousand from one 'ectare of *anana plantation. !o e"er) t'e net profit is 'ig'l( "ar(ing from region to region depending on t'e soil and climatic conditions) "arietal suita*ilit() protection of plantation from attack of insect pests and diseases) a"aila*ilit( of production inputs) etc. 1'e economics of *anana culti"ation can *e orked out *( using follo ing format. 1a*le .5 Composition of *anana fruit

Sl.4o
. 9 + < : > 8 F -, --. -9

Components $oisture Car*o'(drate Crude fi*re Protein Fat As' P'osp'orus Calcium Iron /;Carotene Ri*ofla"in 4iacin Ascor*ic acid

Amount >,? .>.,? ,.<? -..? ,.9? ,.F? .F,., ppm 8,., ppm :., ppm ,.< ppm ,.< ppm >., ppm -.,., ppm

#. FiAed cost -.Cost of t'e land Rs ..Cost of farm *uilding) storage) structure) etc. Rs 9. Cost of fencing Rs +. Cost of ind*reaks Rs <. Cost of clearing) le"eling and *unding of t'e land Rs :. Cost of la(;out Rs >. Cost of digging and filling pits Rs 8. Cost of mac'ines) instruments and ot'er accessories Rs F. Cost of roads and pat's Rs -,. Cost of permanent irrigation s(stem Rs --. Cost of raising plant material Rs B. 2ecurrin$ cost -.Cost of manures and fertilizers Rs ..Cost of insecticides) fungicides and eedicides Rs 9. Cost of farm po er a. Diesel) petrol and electricit( Rs *. 3i"estock and t'eir feed Rs

+. Cost of transportation Rs <. Cost of farm la*our Apaid and unpaidB a. 3and preparation Rs *. Irrigation Rs c. Weeding Rs d. Application of fertilizers and manures Rs e. Application of plant protection c'emicals Rs f. Different intercultural operation Rs g. !ar"esting Rs '. Crading Rs i. Ripening Rs @. Storing and marketing Rs k. An( ot'er la*our in"ol"ement Rs :. Interest on fi2ed costH -,? Rs >. Rent or re"enue on t'e land Rs 8. Depreciation a Farm structure Rs *.Farm mac'iner( Rs F. Repairs and maintenance Rs Total recurrin$ cost 2s C. (nco&e -. #ield of t'e fruits Rs .. An( ot'er material suc' as lea"es) stem etc. Rs Cross income Rs 4et profit P Cross income ;1otal recurring cost ????????????????????????