Exploring Effective Banana Cultivation Techniques in North Kerala, India

Abstract

Introduction

The banana plant (Musa sp.) is India’s second most important fruit crop after mango, valued for its reliability, low cost, and high nutrition. Bananas are grown in over 107 countries. In Kerala, the Nendran variety is popular due to its consumer demand, longer shelf life, and cultural significance during the Onam festival. However, banana cultivation faces risks from natural disasters like floods and storms, but it remains a vital income source for farmers.

Varieties: Key Nendran types in Kerala include Mettuppalayam, Manjeri Nendran, Kaliyethan, Nedunendran, Chengazhikkodan, and others.

Season, Soil, and Climate:

• Best planting seasons are April-May and August-September, avoiding extreme heat and heavy monsoons.

• Ideal soil pH is 6.5-7.5; slightly alkaline red lateritic soils are preferred, with good drainage and water retention.

• Optimal climate is tropical to subtropical lowlands with 70-75% humidity and 20-30°C temperatures. High wind speeds (>80 kmph) damage plants, especially when fruit-laden.

Land Preparation:
Fields are cultivated multiple times, with organic manure applied before planting. Planting pits (50cm³) are filled with topsoil and organic matter. Soil neutralization is done using calcium hydroxide or dolomite to improve fertility and reduce diseases.

Sucker Treatment:
Healthy, pest-free sword suckers are selected, cleaned, and treated with insecticides and fungicides like Chlorpyriphos and Carbendazim.

Planting:
Suckers are planted upright in the center of pits with pseudostem above ground. Soil is pressed to avoid air pockets. Mycorrhizal fungi products are added to enhance soil fertility.

Manuring and Fertilization:
Organic manure (10kg/plant) is applied at planting. Fertilization uses a mix of NPK, enriched organic manure, micronutrients, and polyhalite, adjusting after three months to higher potassium fertilizers. Two fertilization methods involve either solid NPK blends or soluble fertilizers combined with bacteria and micronutrients.

Plant Protection:
Banana crops are vulnerable to fungal diseases like Sigatoka and Panama disease, as well as pests such as nematodes, aphids, and the pseudostem weevil (Odoiporus longicollis). Effective pest and disease management is crucial for sustaining production, especially in Kerala where infestations are common.

Conclusion

The cultivation of bananas especially that of the Nendran type is very important for agriculture in Kerala and it also serves the purpose of many farmers. It is also essential culturally; the fruit is an essential delicacy that families take during the Onam festival. However, banana farming as we have seen is not without its main challenges. Special emphasis is made to the period of planting and marketing season, the type of soil, and proper management practices towards healthy yield. Due to various factors like Panama Wilt and Sigatoka, vulnerability affects banana plantation and farmers should ensure they are keen on pest and disease control. Understanding and applying correct treatments of suckers, appropriate use of fertilizers, and proper crop protection issues are the ways farmers can avoid all the mentioned threats and have well-developed productive plants. As you may be aware planting of banana crops is not a merry go round affair; however, the rewards that come with it are immeasurable. But if the right measures are followed, there is potential for the banana industry to continue to prosper for the coming years conveniently for the farmer, the consumers and the economy. The durability of this fruit plant coupled with efforts that has been invested and knowledge by banana growers makes it possible for this tasty fruit to be available in kerala as well as other regions.

Copyright

Copyright © 2025 Abhishek C H. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.