Propagation Of

Banana

Propagation of Banana

Introduction

Banana is a tropical crop, requiring warm, humid climate.

Banana grows well at temperature range of 15ºC to 35ºC with a relative humidity of 75 to 85%.

Banana requires average rainfall of 650 to750 mm

Propagation of Banana

Banana must be planted in rich, well-drained soil (Fig.) for commercial production.

Acid soils with a pH of 5.5 to 6.5 are preferred.

Banana crop do not grow well in salty soils

Introduction

Propagation of Banana

Banana plants do not produce viable seeds and hence it is exclusively propagated by vegetative means.

Banana crop is propagated by rhizomes, suckers and bits.

Propagation

Banana rhizomes or corms Banana suckers

Propagation of Banana

The most common propagation material is suckers.

Maidenhead, a large non-fruiting pseudo-stem (with roots and some rhizome);

Propagation

There are 3 types of suckers:

Sword sucker, a sucker attached to the original (mother) rhizome with narrow sword-like leaves, and; Water sucker, a sucker next to

but only superficially attached to the mother rhizome with broad leaves.

Propagation of Banana

Large sword suckers and maidenheads are the preferred planting material.

Propagation

Sword sucker

Water sucker

Water suckers produce inferior fruit and are therefore not recommended.

Propagation of Banana

Select sword suckers with the following features.

Propagation

A well developed rhizome

Conical shape

With lanceolate leaves

Actively growing central bud

Weighing 500 to 750 g

Propagation of Banana

Trim the roots and decayed portion of the corm.

PropagationSeparate the sword suckers free from diseases and nematodes from the mother plant.

Grade the suckers according to size and cut the pseudo-stem 20 cm from the corm.

Propagation of Banana

PropagationFor controlling wilt disease in Rasthali, Monthan, Neyvannan, Virupakshi varieties, the corm is dipped in 0.1% Emisan solution (1 g in 1 lit of water) for 5 minutes after removal of the infected parts of the corm.

The corms are shade dried for 24 hours before planting.

Propagation of Banana

PropagationNematodes are controlled by dipping the corm in a slurry solution prepared with 4 parts of clay and 5 parts of water. Sprinkle 40 g of Carbofuran in the slurry solution.

Alternately, the corms are dipped with 0.75% Monocrotophos.

Well-developed rhizomes with dormant lateral buds and ‘dead’ central bud are used in western and central Maharashtra.

Propagation of Banana

Planting

Usually planting is done during June-July. However,

Cultivar, agro-climatic conditions and market demand determines the time of planting

Sigatoka-susceptible banana cultivars must be planted to avoid bunch emergence in monsoon.

Propagation of Banana

Planting

Dwarf varieties are planted in furrows with spacing 1.5 x 1.5 m with 4444 plants per ha

Tall varieties are spaced 2 to 3 m apart.