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Introduction
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Banana
is one of the important fruits of the world, especially
of the tropics. It is often called as Apple of paradise.
Banana accounts for the highest production among the
fruits and contributes to 31% of the total production.
In India it is cultivated in 0.482 M ha area with the
total production of 16.167 MMT and productivity of 33.5
MT/ha. The major Banana growing states are Tamil Nadu,
Maharashtra, Karnataka, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Assam,
Madhya Pradesh and West Bengal. In West Bengal it occupies
an area of 18,900 ha with the total production and productivity
of 0.335 MMT and 17.7 MT/ha respectively. It contains
nearly all-essential nutrients including minerals and
vitamins and has several medicinal properties. Banana
is a rich source of energy. The flower-buds and the
central core of the pseudostem are utilized to prepare
tasty food dishes. Banana leaf is used as a “biological
plate” for serving food. Attractive napkins, placemats,
carry bags etc….are made from banana fibre. |
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Crop
varieties |
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Banana
(Musa-paradisiaca) belongs to the family Musaceae. In
West Bengal, Dwarf Cavendish, Champa, Mortman, Rasthali,
Amrit Sagar, Giant Governor and Lacatan varieties are
generally grown. |
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Conventional
practices |
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Banana
is irrigated through furrow irrigation and propagated
by suckers, which takes more time for flowering and
fruiting compared to micro propagated plantlets with
drip irrigation. N, P and K fertilizers are applied
in one or two doses. However, fertigation with drip
system can enhance plant growth and fruit yield to a
great extent. |
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Suitable
agro climatic conditions |
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Banana
is essentially a tropical plant requiring a warm humid
climate. It can be grown in areas with temperature ranging
from 100 C to 400 C and with an average temperature
of 230 C. |
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Suitable
soils |
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Successful
cultivation of banana requires deep, well-drained, friable
loamy soil with adequate organic matter. |
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Preparation
of land |
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The
land should be deeply ploughed, harrowed and leveled.
Prior to planting, pits of 1000 cm3 (10 cm x 10 cm x
10 cm) are dug and filled with a mixture of garden soil
and FYM (50:50). The micro propagated plantlet sucker
is planted in the center of pit.
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Soil
sterilization |
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The
sterilization of the soil can be achieved by both physical
and chemical means. Physical control measures include
treatments with steam and solar energy. Chemical control
methods include treatments with herbicides and fumigants.
Soil sterilization can also be achieved by using transparent
plastic mulch film, which is termed as soil solarization.
During soil solarization, the incoming solar radiation
penetrates the transparent plastic film and is absorbed
in the soil. The absorbed radiation converts into heat
energy, which raises the soil temperature and kills
many soil-borne organisms including plant pathogens
and pests. |
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Planting |
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It
can be planted throughout the year except in severe
winter and during heavy rains when the soil remains
very wet. The ideal time (October-November) of planting
is after the monsoon season. With assured irrigation,
the planting can also be done in February-March. Plant
population depends on cultivars, topography and soil
fertility. The spacing for dwarf varieties varies from
1.2 m x 1.2 m to 2.0 m x 2.0 m (row x plant). |
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Drip
system requirements |
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Area
: 1 ha, Planting geometry: 2 m x 2 m |
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Variable
items : 63 mm ? PVC/HDPE pipe-54 m, 50 mm ?
PVC/HDPE pipe-102 m, 12mm LDPE Lateral-5000 m, Online
dripper (4 l/h)-5000 Nos., Control valve-2 Nos., Flush
valve-2 Nos., Tees/bends-1 No., Accessories.
Fixed items : Screen filter (15m3/
h)-1 No., Bypass assembly-1 No., Fertilizer applicator-1
No., Accessories.
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Area : 1ha, Planting
geometry: 1.5m x 1.5 m |
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Variable
items : 63 mm ? PVC/HDPE pipe-54 m, 50 mm ?
PVC/HDPE pipe-102 m, 12mm LDPE Lateral-6700 m, Online
dripper (4 l/h)-8978 Nos., Control valve-2 Nos., Flush
valve-2 Nos., Tees/bends-1 No., Accessories.
Fixed Items : Screen filter (15m3/
h)-1 No., Bypass assembly-1 No., Fertilizer applicator-1
No., Accessories.
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Irrigation
scheduling |
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Banana
is a water-loving plant. After banana plantation the
soil should not be allowed to dry completely. Drip irrigation
is most ideal for banana cultivation. Irrigation requirement
of banana under drip irrigation varies from 5 l/d to
18.6 l/d/plant at early and peak growth stages of the
plant respectively. The frequency of drip irrigation
can be daily or alternate days. |
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Advantages
of drip irrigation |
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Saves water.
Enhances plant growth and yield.
Saves energy and labour.
Most suited for soil having low water holding capacity
and undulating terrain.
Reduces weed growth.
Improves fertilizer application efficiency.
Improves quality of produce.
Reduces salt concentration in the root zone
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Application
of fertilizers |
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The
nutrient requirement of banana is very high. It requires
about 150-200g N, 100-150g P and 200-300g K per plant
per year. It takes up more nutrients per unit area than
almost any other fruit crops. The nutrients are mainly
exploited from a very limited soil depth due to shallow
root system of the crop. The growth of the plant is
severely affected due to nitrogen deficiency and the
older leaves show signs of chlorosis. The nutrition
requirement can be met in six to seven split doses with
drip irrigation (fertigation). Fertigation minimizes
the nutrition loss through leaching in conventional
irrigation and under heavy rainfall. Application of
micronutrients like Fe, Zn, B, Cu and Mn has been found
to be beneficial.
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Weed
control |
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Weed-free
environment in banana field is essential for conservation
of moisture, proper utilization of nutrients as well
as for effective control of pests and diseases. Pre-emergence
application of Diuron @ 4 kg/ha controls grasses and
broad-leaved weeds without affecting the yield and quality
of banana. Application of black plastic mulch is most
effective to control weed growth and to conserve soil
moisture. |
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Intercropping |
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Intercropping
is possible at early stage of banana plantation. The
suitable crops are Radish, Chilli, Brinjal, Yam, Spinach,
Cabbage, Turmeric etc. |
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Plant
protection |
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The particulars of the pests and diseases of banana
and their control measures are described below.
Pseudostem borer : Stem borers cause
much damage to the plant. The grubs of this pest bore
into pseudostem. As a result the leaves turn yellow,
wither and untimely the plant dies. Spray of Endo-sulphan
(0.4%) or 0.1% Carbaryl (wettable powder) or use of
Celphos (3 tablets per plant) inside the pseudostem
and plastering the slit with mud controls borer.
Rootstock Weevil : This pest harms
banana throughout the year. The grubs bore into rhizomes.
Adults hide in leaf sheaths and suckers. Infested
rhizomes and stumps should be removed and destroyed,
BHC @10% is applied in the pit before planting and
0.3% phosphamidon is sprayed around the base of the
affected plant as well as in healthy plants for control
of rootstock weevil.
Panama wilt : This disease is most
serious in poorly drained soil and in land where planting
of banana is done year after year. Affected plants
show yellowing of leaves which later hang around the
pseudostem and wither. Acid alluvial soils favour
spread of this disease. All the affected plants should
be uprooted and destroyed. Application of Bavistin
(Carbendazim) @ 1 g/l, use of quick lime by mixing
with soil (1:3) in the pit and near the base of the
plant, dipping suckers with 0.2% Bavistin for 30 minutes
before planting are recommended as control measures.
Bunchy top : This is a viral disease.
Infected plants show short and narrow leaves together
at the top of the pseudostem to form a bunch. Removal
of infected plants along with complete rhizome, sprays
of Rogor (0.3%) or Monocrotophos (0.05%) are recommended
as control measures.
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Harvesting,
yield and quality control |
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The
dwarf cultivars of banana are ready for harvest within
11 to 14 months after planting, while tall cultivars
take about 14 to 18 months to mature. Average yield
of banana is 40 to 50 t/ha. Shelf life of banana fruits
and their quality can be extended by 3 days or more
with the use of ethylene absorbent like vermiculite
blocks when they are soaked in potassium permanganate
(100 g/l) solution and kept in polyethylene bags. |
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Post
harvest handling and storage |
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After
harvesting, banana can be stored at a temperature of
130 C at relative humidity 85 to 95 per cent for about
three weeks. At low temperatures, the banana fruits
become black. Storage life can be prolonged by keeping
fruits in relatively high concentration of CO2 and low
concentration of O2. |
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Cost
economics |
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Area
: 1 ha, Planting geometry: 2 m x 2 m
Fixed cost of drip system : Rs. 60,700
Interest rate : 10.5%
Life of system : 7.5 years
Annual cost of drip : Rs. 17,456
Cost of cultivation : Rs. 30,000
Expected yield : 47 t/ha
Expected Benefit-Cost ratio : 4.54
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Contact
Address |
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Dr. K. N. Tiwari
Professor & Principal Investigator
Precision Farming Development Centre
Agricultural & Food Engineering Department
IIT Kharagpur (W.B.) 721 302
Tel: 03222-283150 (O)/ 283151 (R)
Fax: 03222-282244 / 255303 (O)
Email: kamlesh@agfe.iitkgp.ernet.in,
pfdc_kharagpur@yahoo.com
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