3 2 bananas

Bananas andBananas and
PlantainsPlantains
Family: MusaceaeFamily: Musaceae
Genus: MusaGenus: Musa
Species:Species:
M. acuminataM. acuminata
M. balbisianaM. balbisiana

Tropical Horticulture - Texas
Genus MusaGenus Musa
Section EumusaSection Eumusa
Major species of economic importanceMajor species of economic importance
– Musa acuminataMusa acuminata (A genome)(A genome)
– Musa balbisianaMusa balbisiana (B genome)(B genome)
Ploidy levels of commercial bananasPloidy levels of commercial bananas
– Diploid, AA and BBDiploid, AA and BB
– Triploid, AAA, AAB, ABBTriploid, AAA, AAB, ABB
– Tetraploid, AAAA, AABB, ABBBTetraploid, AAAA, AABB, ABBB
Major evolutionary eventsMajor evolutionary events
– Probably millennia agoProbably millennia ago

Types of BananasTypes of Bananas
BananaBanana
– Desert banana, freshDesert banana, fresh
consumptionconsumption
– AAAAAA
PlantainPlantain
– Cooking, Meal,Cooking, Meal,
Vegetable bananaVegetable banana
– Plátano, bananoPlátano, banano
machomacho
– AAB or ABBAAB or ABB

Banana Origin and DomesticationBanana Origin and Domestication
AA
AAA
AAB
ABB
AABB
AAAB
ABBB
ABBAA
B
AB
Industry developed in Late 19th Century
AAB
AAA
AA
Before 200 AD
Reached Europe
by 1516

Adaptation: Hot HumidAdaptation: Hot Humid
TropicsTropics
TemperatureTemperature
– Frost freeFrost free
– Mean temperature of 27 C (80 F)Mean temperature of 27 C (80 F)
– Minimum winter temp of 15.5 C (60 F)Minimum winter temp of 15.5 C (60 F)
MoistureMoisture
– Rain, 100 mm (4.0”) per monthRain, 100 mm (4.0”) per month
SoilSoil
– Good drainage is neededGood drainage is needed
– Slightly acid, pH 5.5 to 6.5Slightly acid, pH 5.5 to 6.5

January 15.5 C isotherm
June 15.5 C isotherm
1,270 mm isohyets
1,270 mm isohyets
Banana Cultivation and ClimateBanana Cultivation and Climate
Most Banana/Plantain Production within RegionMost Banana/Plantain Production within Region
withwith
Winter Temperate Greater than 15.5 C (60 F) andWinter Temperate Greater than 15.5 C (60 F) and
Rainfall greater than 1,270 mm (50”)Rainfall greater than 1,270 mm (50”)
(Figure 6.1 from Simmonds, 1966)

Bananas Grown for Local ConsumptionBananas Grown for Local Consumption
1,270 mm isohyets
1,270 mm isohyets
BB
B
B B
B B
B
B
BB
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B B
B
B
B
B

Bananas Grown for Export = TBananas Grown for Export = T
1,270 mm isohyets
1,270 mm isohyets
BB
B
B B
B B
B
B
BB
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B B
B
B
B
B
T
T
T
T
T
T
T
T
T
T T
T
T
T
T
T
T

Weather ProblemsWeather Problems
WindWind
– 15-20 mph - leaf damage, twisting, breakage15-20 mph - leaf damage, twisting, breakage
– 40 mph - considerable damage40 mph - considerable damage
– 60 mph - complete destruction60 mph - complete destruction
WhyWhy
– Pseudostem not as strong as woody stemPseudostem not as strong as woody stem
– Large leaves that catch windLarge leaves that catch wind
– Shallow root systemShallow root system

World ProductionWorld Production
(1,000s mt)(1,000s mt)
Region Bananas Plantains
Africa 7,051 22,478
Asia 40,738 996
Americas 24,378 1,835
Total 72,167 25,309
FAOSTAT database, 2000-2002

(%)(%)
Africa 10% 89%
Asia 56% 4%
Americas 34% 7%
Total (1,000s mt) 72,167 25,309

Leading Producing CountriesLeading Producing Countries
Africa Burundi, Uganda,
Egypt, Cameroon,
Congo
Uganda, Rw anda,
Ghana, Nigeria,
I vory Coast
Asia I ndia, Philippines,
China, I ndonesia,
Thailand
Myanmar, Sri Lanka
Americas Ecuador, Brazil, Costa
Rica, Colombia,
Guatemala
Colombia, Peru,
Venezuela, Ecuador,
Cuba

ProductionProduction
– Bananas, 72 million MT (56% Asia)Bananas, 72 million MT (56% Asia)
– Plantains, 25 million MT (89%Plantains, 25 million MT (89%
Africa)Africa)
Staple food for 70 million AfricansStaple food for 70 million Africans
– 90% grown on small farms and90% grown on small farms and
consumed locallyconsumed locally
– 10% exported from plantations10% exported from plantations
Latin America and Caribbean regionLatin America and Caribbean region

World Yields (mt/ha)World Yields (mt/ha)
Africa 6.5 5.6
Asia 19.9 10.4
Americas 18.7 10.0

Plant StructurePlant Structure
MonocotMonocot
Perennial herbPerennial herb
– All leaves/inflorescence originAll leaves/inflorescence origin
from under ground cormfrom under ground corm
Spreads via rhizomesSpreads via rhizomes
Plants “walk”Plants “walk”
– Largest plant without woodyLargest plant without woody
trunktrunk
Pseudostem, leaf basesPseudostem, leaf bases
– Fruits onceFruits once

Banana VarietiesBanana Varieties
Gros Michel (Big Mike)Gros Michel (Big Mike)
– Leading cv for 100 yearsLeading cv for 100 years
– Good production, cycle 13-15 monthsGood production, cycle 13-15 months
– Tall plants (4-8 m), wind damageTall plants (4-8 m), wind damage
– Good post harvest qualitiesGood post harvest qualities
Ripened uniformlyRipened uniformly
Resistant to bruising and discolorationResistant to bruising and discoloration
– Shipped as bunchesShipped as bunches
– Susceptible to Panama diseaseSusceptible to Panama disease
Replaced by Cavendish - resistant to PanamaReplaced by Cavendish - resistant to Panama
diseasedisease

Banana VarietiesBanana Varieties
CavendishCavendish
– Currently the leading cv for exportCurrently the leading cv for export
– Heavy production, cycle 11 monthsHeavy production, cycle 11 months
– Smaller plant (2-3 m) - less windSmaller plant (2-3 m) - less wind
damagedamage
– Marginal post harvest qualitiesMarginal post harvest qualities
Does not ripen uniformly - use specialDoes not ripen uniformly - use special
chamberschambers
Susceptible to bruising and discolorationSusceptible to bruising and discoloration
– Shipped packed in boxesShipped packed in boxes
– Resistant to Panama diseaseResistant to Panama disease

Many Locally ImportantMany Locally Important
VarietiesVarieties
Active breedingActive breeding
in Africa, Southin Africa, South
America, andAmerica, and
AsiaAsia

Flower StructureFlower Structure
Three types of flowers onThree types of flowers on
inflorescenceinflorescence
– Female flowers - develop into fruitFemale flowers - develop into fruit
– Hermaphroditic flowersHermaphroditic flowers
– Male flowersMale flowers
Fruit is a berryFruit is a berry

BananaBanana
flowerflower
Female
Male

BananaBanana
flowerflower
Male
Female
Three months from
flowering to harvest

Botanically the Banana is aBotanically the Banana is a
BerryBerry
One pistilOne pistil
One or many seedOne or many seed
Seed Remnants
Other Berries
Tomato
Kiwi
Grape
Persimmon

Production CycleProduction Cycle
PropagationPropagation
– VegetativeVegetative
– Rhizomes that are 6-8” diameterRhizomes that are 6-8” diameter
– Planted within hours of diggingPlanted within hours of digging
– Special fields for production ofSpecial fields for production of
rhizomes for new orchardsrhizomes for new orchards
Nematode problemsNematode problems
– Hot water treatment (65°C)Hot water treatment (65°C)
– Chemical dipsChemical dips

PlantingPlanting
DensityDensity
– 2.9 m (8.5’) square2.9 m (8.5’) square
– 1,812 pl/ha (725 pl/ac)1,812 pl/ha (725 pl/ac)
Size of export plantationSize of export plantation
– Need to supply 36,000 mt/yearNeed to supply 36,000 mt/year
– YieldYield 40 mt/ha40 mt/ha -> 1,000 ha-> 1,000 ha
– Supply 1,000 mt/ship every 10 daysSupply 1,000 mt/ship every 10 days
– Four years to attain commercialFour years to attain commercial
productionproduction

Banana plantsBanana plants
– Take 8-9 months to flowerTake 8-9 months to flower
11-14 leaves11-14 leaves
Six leaves needed for good productionSix leaves needed for good production
– Bunch take 3 months to developBunch take 3 months to develop
– Fruiting cycle for Dwarf CavendishFruiting cycle for Dwarf Cavendish
is 11 monthsis 11 months
Banana plants “walk”Banana plants “walk”

Training and Plant SelectionTraining and Plant Selection
Banana plants “walk”Banana plants “walk”
– Select and train sucker for next cropSelect and train sucker for next crop
to not interfere with growing bunchto not interfere with growing bunch
– When harvest fruit the sucker shouldWhen harvest fruit the sucker should
be 2 m (5-6’)be 2 m (5-6’)
– Eliminate suckers that areEliminate suckers that are
Poorly positionedPoorly positioned
Too smallToo small
UnhealthyUnhealthy

Fruiting Stem
1st Replacement
Daughter
2nd Replacement
Grand daughter
Fruiting Mat

Panama DiseasePanama Disease
Fusarium oxysporumFusarium oxysporum
– Caused the demise of Gros MichelCaused the demise of Gros Michel
– Plantains are generally resistantPlantains are generally resistant
ControlControl
– Resistant varietiesResistant varieties
– New strain of the pathogen in AsiaNew strain of the pathogen in Asia
overcomes Cavendish resistanceovercomes Cavendish resistance
genegene
Need to develop a wider range ofNeed to develop a wider range of

Panama DiseasePanama Disease

Black SigatokaBlack Sigatoka
Banana Leaf SpotBanana Leaf Spot
Mycosphaerella - CercosporaMycosphaerella - Cercospora
– Native to Southeast AsiaNative to Southeast Asia
HistoryHistory
– Early 1960s - Pacific and AsiaEarly 1960s - Pacific and Asia
– Early 1970s - Latin AmericaEarly 1970s - Latin America
– Late 1970s - Gabon in Africa - spread throughLate 1970s - Gabon in Africa - spread through
AfricaAfrica
SymptomsSymptoms
– Small translucent pale yellow streaksSmall translucent pale yellow streaks
– Necrotic lesions (light gray w/ yellow halo)Necrotic lesions (light gray w/ yellow halo)
– Lesions coalesce and destroy leafLesions coalesce and destroy leaf

Black SigatokaBlack Sigatoka
Banana Leaf SpotBanana Leaf Spot
Yield Losses - by losing leaf areaYield Losses - by losing leaf area
– This is generally not a problem in mixedThis is generally not a problem in mixed
– 50% yield loss50% yield loss
– Also cause premature ripening inAlso cause premature ripening in
harvested fruitharvested fruit
ControlControl
– Mixed plantingsMixed plantings
Generally not a serious problemGenerally not a serious problem
– MonocultureMonoculture
Fungicides (Manzate)Fungicides (Manzate)
Resistant varietiesResistant varieties

Bagging of the FruitBagging of the Fruit
Weekly inspectionWeekly inspection
– Last true hand is 4” longLast true hand is 4” long
– Remove terminal end of bunchRemove terminal end of bunch
– Mark with ribbon - colors change with theMark with ribbon - colors change with the
weekweek
– Cover with perforated polyethylene bagCover with perforated polyethylene bag
WhyWhy
– ProtectionProtection
PestsPests
Damage from leavesDamage from leaves
Dust and dirtDust and dirt
– Advance ripeningAdvance ripening

FertilityFertility
Forty tons of bananas per hectareForty tons of bananas per hectare
– 80 kg N80 kg N == 80 kg N80 kg N
– 20 kg P20 kg P22 OO55 == 9 kg P9 kg P
– 240 kg K240 kg K22 OO == 200 kg K200 kg K

Supporting the CropSupporting the Crop
52% of plant weight is the raceme52% of plant weight is the raceme
– Prop with polesProp with poles
– Guide lines to base of adjacent plantGuide lines to base of adjacent plant
– Leaf pruning can reduce problemsLeaf pruning can reduce problems
with wind damagewith wind damage

HarvestHarvest
Crew harvests at 3-4 dayCrew harvests at 3-4 day
intervalsintervals
– Look for colored ribbons whichLook for colored ribbons which
indicate age of bunchindicate age of bunch
Minimum sizeMinimum size
– 5 hands5 hands
– Pick green, with certain sizePick green, with certain size
Banana bunch weighs 90-110 lbsBanana bunch weighs 90-110 lbs
– Two man operationTwo man operation
– Hung on hook on cable systemHung on hook on cable system

Cable system runsCable system runs
from banana fieldfrom banana field
to the packingto the packing
househouse

Fruit Packing andFruit Packing and
GradingGrading
Separate intoSeparate into
handshands
Wash to preventWash to prevent
stainingstaining
Pack in boxesPack in boxes

Pack in boxesPack in boxes
– Only packOnly pack
unblemishedunblemished
fruitfruit
Fruit Packing andFruit Packing and
GradingGrading

Post HarvestPost Harvest
Storage temperatureStorage temperature
– 57 - 59 F57 - 59 F
– Below 56 F may cause chilling injuryBelow 56 F may cause chilling injury
Bananas are ripened forBananas are ripened for
marketingmarketing
– 58-64 F58-64 F
– Ethylene treatmentEthylene treatment

Nutritional ValueNutritional Value
100 gm edible pulp100 gm edible pulp
– 85 calories, mostly carbohydrates85 calories, mostly carbohydrates
– Vitamin, A, C, BVitamin, A, C, B11 , B, B22 , niacin, niacin
– Minerals, very high in KMinerals, very high in K
Reduce risk of high blood pressure andReduce risk of high blood pressure and
strokesstrokes

3 2 bananas

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