Botanical name: Musa paradisica
Family: Musaceae
Chromosome number: 2n = 22
1. Climatic Conditions:
Bananas grow well in tropical and subtropical regions with temperatures ranging from 15 to 35°C. They require at least 200 frost-free days in a year and an annual rainfall of 1000-2500mm with a relative humidity of 75-85%.
2. Suitable Soil:
Bananas prefer deep, well-drained, loamy soils with a pH range of 6.5-7.5. They are susceptible to soil-borne diseases, so it is important to avoid planting in soil that has previously grown bananas.
3. Propagation:
Bananas are propagated through suckers that emerge from the base of the mother plant.
4. Planting:
Suckers should be planted at a depth of 10-15 cm and spaced 2-3 meters apart in rows that are 3-4 meters apart. Planting can be done throughout the year, but it is best to avoid the hottest and coldest months. A seed rate of 1500-2000 suckers per hectare is recommended.
5. Irrigation:
Irrigation should be done immediately after planting and continued regularly throughout the crop cycle.
6. Manures and Fertilizers:
Bananas require a lot of nutrients and respond well to organic manures. A recommended NPK (Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium) dose for banana cultivation is 150:50:200 kg per hectare.
7. Training and Pruning:
Banana plants require a lot of support as their stems are weak. Staking and propping are common practices to support the plant. Pruning is done to remove old leaves and diseased parts of the plant.
8. Varieties:
Some popular banana varieties are Cavendish, Robusta, Grand Nain, Williams, and Dwarf Cavendish.
9. Harvesting:
Bananas are harvested when the fruits are fully mature and have reached their desired size and color. The yield can vary depending on the variety and growing conditions, but it is generally around 25-30 tonnes per hectare.
