Bananas

The highest banana yields are obtained on freely drained soils where water is not limiting.

Applied nitrogen is used for dry matter production and yield, including bunch weight in banana.

Nitrogen, potassium, magnesium and calsium influences number of hands.

Nitrogen and potassium influences banana bunch length and number of hands per bunch.

Potassium is important for the transfer of carbohydrates from the leaf to the fruit, improving pulp content and fruit size.

Bananas are popular, convenient, energy boosting snacks providing high levels of Vitamin A, C and B6. Flavor, texture, and ease of peeling are all important characteristics for the consumer.

Potassium is the most abundant nutrient in banana fruit cells and is important for respiration, photosynthesis and water regulation, as well as transportation and accumulation of sugars in the plant.

Nitrogen influences fruit quality, improving sweetness by increasing the level of Total Soluble Solids (TSS), sugars and the TSS/Acid ratio.

Nitrogen and potassium influences ascorbic acid in bananas.

Maintenance of a good green leaf area through pest and disease control, the use of shelters and careful husbandry ensures maximum productivity and fruit fill.

The relative concentration of calcium within the peel, compared to the fruit is higher than with other nutrients.

Bananas require moist and warm growing conditions.

Application strategies need to take into account the significant nutrient losses that occur, particularly in tropical plantations, as a result of leaching and volatilization.

There are over 1000 types of banana, which are subdivided into 50 groups of varieties.

Being grown in a warm and wet environment, bananas are highly susceptible to root, leaf and fruit diseases.

Plantations aim to produce large bunches of premium-grade bananas with a long ‘green-life’ potential.

Balanced micronutrition is important in the banana crop and applications need to take into account complete crop needs at any stage of development. Critical leaf tissue values are given below.

Bananas have a very high nutrient demand – more so than most other crops.

Find out which nutrients are most important at different growth stages.

High salt levels in the soil or irrigation water cause plant stress resulting in marginal leaf chlorosis, stunted growth and thin, deformed fruit.

Soil testing can be used to assess pH, organic matter content and cation exchange capacity (CEC), thereby indicating nutrient availability and the nutrient retention characteristics of the soil.

Best production comes on well-drained and well-aerated soils rich in nutrients and humus content.

Around 103 million tonnes of banana are produced annually across 9.7 million hectares in nearly 130 countries.