Banana Cultivation

Banana (Musa sp.), belonging to the family musaceae, is the favorite fruit among all classes of people because of its year-round availability, affordability, taste, nutritive value, and good export potential. Being a long-duration crop, the total water requirements of banana is high, ranging from 1200 mm in the humid tropics to 2200 mm in the dry tropics. Since banana is a high-nutrient feeder crop, it requires more nutrients compared to other crops, especially potassium, and hence the need for suitable soil preparation and maintenance to get the best yield. 

Suitable Soil Conditions

This tropical crop is grown throughout the year under humid weather conditions. The optimum temperature suitable for banana ranges between 25–30°C. The soil type preferred for banana cultivation is deep, well-drained, aerated and nutritionally rich loamy soil with pH of 6–7.5. Saline and calcareous soils are not suitable for banana cultivation. 

Land preparation & banana planting system 

The land is prepared by plowing twice and harrowing thrice. Leveling is done by tractor after harrowing. Ridges and furrows are made and the pits (30 cm x 30 cm x 30 cm) are dug and filled up with well-decomposed farm yard manure (FYM) / compost. The pits are irrigated to allow the soil to settle. In irrigated areas, the planting is done in February–March, and in hilly areas, in April. The planting material (sword sucker of 1.5–2.0 kg weight) is treated with a solution of 250 gm of ghee, 0.500 gm of honey and 15 kg of cow dung. The spacing adopted is 1.5 m x 1.5 m and 1.5 m x 1.8 m (depending upon the variety). 


The plants need to be irrigated immediately after planting. About 30–40 weekly irrigations are required. When summer temperatures cross 37.5°C, irrigation on every third day is essential. Inadequate irrigation in the banana plantation leads to delayed flowering, irregular bunch size, delayed maturity, reduced fingers and poor keeping quality of the fruits. 


Intercropping banana 

The intercropping preferences and suitability varies based on agro-climatic conditions and in Tamil Nadu, the common mixed-

cropping of banana are with arecanut and coconut. In Kerala, greater yam and elephant foot yam can be profitably intercropped with 

Nendran variety. In Karnataka region, cucumber and amaranth can be cultivated profitably with banana. 

 

Onion, soybean, and cowpea can be grown as intercrops with banana by planting them on a raised bed, which will give additional 

income to growers. Growing intercrops like cowpea and soybean also helps in suppressing weed growth. Avoid growing 

cucurbitaceous vegetables. With intercropping, the crop duration of banana extends from 20 to 40 days, but the yield is not affected. 

 

Windbreaks and fencing for banana crops 

Tree crops like jack, silver oak, and sesbania established as border crops around banana fields act as shelter in preventing wind 

damage, which banana plants are likely to sustain. 


Banana organic nutrient management and recommendations 

15 t of FYM/compost is applied at the time of land preparation. After plantation, the manuring is done by applying 5 kg FYM per 

plant in first year and FYM at 10 kg per plant during subsequent two years. To maintain the soil fertility green manures sown on 45th 

 day and incorporated into the soil at its flowering stage, i.e. after about a month, when the nitrogen fixation is at its maximum. 


Banana input application schedule 

Duration Basal 1st month 2nd month 3rd month 4th month 5th month 6th month 7th month 8th month
Product Dosage Valarchi 50gm Induce 2.5ml/lt Valarchi 200gm Induce 2.5ml/lt Valarchi 300gm Energion 2ml/lt Valarchi 250gm Energion 2ml/lt Valarchi 200gm
-
Prod Mode of Application Dose Product Information Product role
Valarchi Basal application 1kg per plant Vriksha-Ayurveda-based powder formulation with organically derived macro and micro nutrients blended with plant-derived active ingredients Steady and slow release of nutrients, strengthens soil microbiome and boosts overall health of the plant
Induce Foliar spray – once 2.5ml/lt Liquid formulation with amino acid chelated micronutrients (Zn, Mg) and macronutrients (N,P,K,S) Rapid establishment and healthy early stage plant growth with enhanced photosynthetic ability
Energion Foliar spray – thrice 2ml/lt Seaweed-based liquid formulation with amino acid and plant derived polysulphides Prevents premature flowering, fruit drop, improves strong flower stalk formation and size of fruit, and quality of final produce
Tricit Immediately after initial 4ml/lt Non-synthetic EC formulation with non-edible oil Antifeedant and deterrent property

Special measures to be taken in banana cultivation


  • Mulching

    Mulching with coir waste and paddy straw can control weed growth, protect the soil in opposition to heavy rainfall and intensive sunshine, prevent erosion in plantations on steep slopes, stimulate root development, improve soil drainage, cool the soil, increase soil porosity (water and air penetration), and support an abundance of recommended soil organisms such as earthworms, useful fungi, and bacteria, thereby enhancing standard soil health. 

  • De-suckering

    All varieties of banana throw suckers from 2–3 months after planting. All these suckers should not be allowed to grow as they will compete with the mother plants for water and nutrients, thereby reducing the yield of the main crop. De-suckering using a sickle, at 15–20-day intervals, right from the beginning till flowering is essential. 

  • Earthing up

    In case of furrow planting, earthing up should be done during rainy season to avoid water-logging, so that the plants will be in the furrow during winter and summer. 

  • Propping

    Propping or supporting the plants at the time of bunch emergence is carried out in areas of high wind speeds, usually with bamboo or wooden poles.  

  • Leaf Removal

    Dried, drooping leaves are removed once in three months to avoid shade effect which may produce black spots on fruits and to reduce wind damage, thereby preventing lodging.  

  • Bunch covering

    Bagging (bunch covering) is a cultural technique which protects bunches from cold, sun scorching, thrips and scarring beetle. It also improves certain visual qualities of the fruits. Bunch covering with dry leaves is a common practice 

    in India. 

  • Removal of the male flower bud

    Removal of male bud after completion of female phase is necessary. Once the process of fruit-setting is over, the inflorescence rachis should be cut beyond the last hand, otherwise it will grow at the cost of fruit development. This helps in early maturity of the bunch. 

On-farm banana nutrient management practices 

01

To improve plant growth 

A mixture is prepared by using 5 liters cow urine, 5 kg cow dung, 1/4 kg local brown sugar and 5 liters water. This mixture is left for 

24 hours. In 1 liter mixture, 10 liters water is added and sprayed at the bottom of the tree. This mixture improves the banana-plant 

growth. 

02

Bunch feeding - To improve the fruit quality

∙Tie 100 ml Panchakavya once the flowers are removed. This will increase fruit quality and size by acting as a potash supplement. 

∙Cow dung mixed in water is applied to get good bunch weight. 

03

To control rhizome weevil and its grubs

∙Dip suckers for 5 to 6 hours in running stream or other water source before planting. This process reduces/kills the young 

grubs and weevils due to lack of oxygen. 

∙Cool the cooked tapioca water and pour it to the base of banana plant intermittently from 2 to 3 leaf stage to control rhizome 

weevil. Since the HCN (Hydrogen cynic acid) in cooked water of tapioca has some insecticide property and ovicidal action, it 

controls grubs and adults. Furthermore, the starch in cooked water forms a coating on young grubs which leads to suffocation 

and death of grubs. 

∙Remove the suckers immediately after harvest of banana bunches and apply lime in the pits to destroy resting stages of pest and disease causing agents. 

04

To control pseudo stem weevils 

∙Put small pieces of kadhi soap (washing) in the leaf axils to control pseudo stem weevil 

∙Apply fried fenugreek powder to the leaf axils of the banana plant as it acts as a deterrent for oviposition 

∙Fill the leaf axils with ash and salt in 1:1 ratio or only ash to control pseudo stem 

∙At the stage of 3 months, clean the banana plant and fill the bored holes with paste of mud to control the weevils

05

To control nematodes 

Growing of Ussi Thagarai (Cassia tora ) will control nematodes in banana

06

To control bunchy top of banana 

∙Cut the bunchy top affected banana trees to half its height and apply curd on it at the initial stage to arrest the disease 

∙Applying 5 gm fried fenugreek powder at the leaf axis acts well against bunchy top and banana aphid 

∙To control aphids – spray Tricit at 4 ml / lt dosage 

Banana harvest


The dwarf bananas are ready for harvest within 11 to 14 months after planting, while tall varieties take about 14 to 16 months to harvest. Fruits usually mature in 120 to 140 days after flowering; the fruit bunch is harvested when the ridges on their surface change from angular to round and the dried parts of flowers at the top of the fruit drop off easily. 

Natural ripening of banana fruit


 Farmers use twigs of Basuti (Adhatodavasica) for ripening of banana fruits in piles. The bananas are kept wrapped in basuti foliage, either in bamboo baskets or in khatris (pits dug underground). The reason for wrapping with basuti is that it generates heat due to which the bananas ripen. 

For quick ripening of banana fruits, lime solution is sprinkled over the bunches or neem leaves are inserted in between the bunches. 

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