Banana-Inter cultivation

Control of weed is must in banana plantations. Weed can be removed manually or through adopting proper mulching practices.

Adopt inter cultivation and earthing up to control weeds. The pits should be filled in two months. In areas where planting is done in ridges add soil by earthing up. This practice will increase root activity.

Avoid deep digging. Do not disturb soil after plants start producing bunches.

Pre-emergence application of Diuron 80 WP (1.5 kg/ha) or Oxyfluorfen 23.5 EC (600 ml /ha) is effective in weed control at early stage. Weeds emerging later can be controlled by the application of Glyphosate 41 SL (1 litre/ha).

For ratoon crop, the entire fertilizers have to be applied in a single dose immediately after the harvest of the preceding crop. Irrigate immediately after manuring.

For Nendran, applying the fertilizers in six split doses will be beneficial to improve the finger size and bunch weight.

Apply the fertilizer 60-75 cm around the plant in two equal split doses; the first, two months after planting and the second, four months after planting.

Provide proper propping at the time of bunch emergence to protect from wind damage. The wooden poles are to be planted in the side opposite to the bunch and tied to the peduncle.

Removing the dead and diseased leaves is recommended to arrest the spread of diseases in the field. The act also facilitates the growing plant to get more light and heat for its growth.

De-navelling is the practice of removing the male bud that is seen below the fingers. It should be done immediately after the opening of the bunch. And the act is found to enhance the fruit development and maturation of the bunch.

Bunch covering is done to make the bunch more beautiful. Covered bunches protect the fruit from hazardous effects of heat and cold. It also prevents the bunch from eating away by birds and squirrels.

Remove side suckers produced till the emergence of bunch by dripping a few drops of kerosene. Retain one or two suckers produced after the emergence of bunch.

Cucumber and amaranth can be cultivated profitably with banana. Greater yam and elephant foot yam can be profitably intercropped with Nendran.

Spraying of bunches with Sulphate of Potash (SOP)  15 gram per liter of water, twice, the first two weeks after bunch emergence and the second four weeks after bunch emergence increases the fruit yield and consumer preferences in Nendran banana.

For Palayankodan (rainfed), planting may be done in January and the suckers may be given pot irrigation @ 9 litre of water once in 15 days until April-May. During summer months, irrigate once in three days.

Nendran (October planting) grown under deep water table conditions (below 2 m from ground level) needs (40 liter/plant) irrigation once in two days during summer season to ensure higher bunch yield and better water use efficiency. Avoid over irrigation.