Banana is the second most important fruit crop of India next to mango. It is available round the year and because of its taste, nutritive and medicinal value it is favourite fruit of all classes of people. It is a rich source of carbohydrate and vitamins particularly vitamin B. Banana helps to reduce risk of heart diseases. Also it is recommended for patients suffering from high arthritis, blood pressure, ulcer, gastroenteritis and kidney disorders. From banana various products are made such as chips, banana puree, jam, jelly, juice, etc. Banana fibre is used to make items like bags, pots and wall hangers. Rope and good quality paper can be prepared from banana waste. In India banana ranks first in production and third in area among fruit crops. Within India, Maharashtra has the highest productivity. The other major banana producing states are Karnataka, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh and Assam.

In Maharashtra, near about 45thousand hectare area is under banana cultivation. Jalgaon is major banana producing area of Maharashtra and contribute near about 50% in total production.

Banana can grow from the poorest to the richest type of soil with varying success. Deep, rich loamy and salty clay loam soil with pH between 6-7.5 is most preferred for banana cultivation. For banana growing, select soil having good drainage, adequate fertility and moisture capacity. Soils having high nitrogen content, adequate phosphorus content and high level of potash are good for banana cultivation. Avoid waterlogged, poor aerated and nutritionally deficient soils. Also avoid sandy, saline, calcareous and extremely clayey soils.

Plough land thoroughly at least for 3-4 times in summer. At time of last ploughing add about 10 tonnes of well rotten FYM or well decomposed cow dung and mix it well in soil. To level soil used blade harrow or laser leveller. In areas where nematode problem is prevalent, nematicides and fumigants are also added to pits before planting.

Basrai: The fruits are big, dark brown in color and has good smell and sweet. It bears 25kg bunches. 

Time of sowing

Seed Rate

Fertilizer dose for tissue culture plant (gm/plant)

If soil is zinc deficient, in such soils, apply Zinc sulphate@50gm/plant. Or take foliar spray of Zinc sulphate@3gm/Ltr + Urea@5gm/Ltr, 45 and 60days after planting. 

In case of boron deficiency, weight and size of bunch get affected and thus affect proper filling of bunch. To overcome boron deficiency, take spray of boric acid@2gm per Ltr of water in fourth and fifth month after planting.

Remove weeds before planting by deep ploughing and cross harrowing. Also take spray of Glyphosate@0.8kg/acre to keep plantation weed free. Take pre-emergence application of Diuron 80% WP@0.8Kg/250Ltr of water/acre if infestation by the weed species. 

Banana is a shallow rooted crop requires large quantity of water for increasing productivity. Overall it requires 70-75 irrigations for good yield. Provide irrigation at an interval of 7-8days in winter where as in summer provide irrigation at interval of 4-5days. In rainy season provide irrigation if required. Remove excess water from field as it will affect plant establishment and growth. 

Advance irrigation technology like drip irrigation can be used. Research show that use of drip irrigation in banana saves about  58% of water and increasing yield by 23-32%. In drip irrigation, apply water@5-10 litres/plant/day from planting to 4th month, 10-15 litres/plant/day from 5th to shooting and 15 litres /plant/day from shooting to till 15 days prior to harvest.

•  Pests and their control:

Corm weevil: If the infestation of corm weevil is observed, then to control, apply Carbaryl@10– 20gm/plant in the soil around the stem.

Rhizome weevil: As a preventive measure, remove dried leaves and keep the orchards clean. Dip the rhizome in Methyl oxydemeton@2ml/Litre of solution before planting. Apply castor cake@250gm or Carbaryl@50gm or Phorate@10gm per pit before planting.

Banana aphid: If the infestation is observed, take spray of Methyl demeton@2ml/litre or Dimethoate 30EC@2ml/litre of water.

Thrips and Lace wing bugs: Take spray of Methyl demeton 20EC@2ml/litre of water or Monocrotophos 36 WSC@2ml/litre of water.

Nematode: To prevent suckers from nematode attacked, treat suckers with Carbofuran 3%CG@50gm/sucker. If suckers treatment is not done, apply 40gm of Carbofuran around each plant one month after planting. 

• Diseases and their control:

Sigatoka leaf spot: Remove and burn infected leaves. Provide proper drainage in the field to avoid waterlogging conditions.

Anthracnose: If the infestation is observed, take spray Copperoxychloride @2.5gram/Litre or Bordeaux mixture@10gram/Litre or chlorothalonil fungicide @2gm/litre or Carbendazim@3gm/Litre of water.

Panama Disease: If infection observed in the field, uproot and destroy severely affected plants away from the field. Then apply lime@1 – 2 kg in the pits.

Fusarium wilt: Remove of infected trees and apply lime @1-2 Kg/pit.

Bunchy Top: It is caused due to aphid infestation, Removed and burn diseased plant parts away from the field. If infestation of aphid is observed, spraying of Dimethoate@20ml/10Litre of water.

Crop is ready for harvesting 11-12months after planting. Carry our harvesting when banana is slightly or fully mature also according to market requirement. For Local market harvest fruits at maturity stage and for long distance transport, harvest fruit at 75-80 % maturity. Where as for export purpose, carry out harvesting, the day before or the same day of shipment. Harvest fruit early in the day in the summer. In winter, avoid harvesting too early in the morning.

After harvesting, Curing, washing, grading, packaging, storage, transportation and marketing etc., are the main post harvest operations.

Grading is done on basis of size, colour and maturity. Remove small, overripe, damaged and diseased fruits. Fruits are generally harvested early in the season at a pre-mature stage to capture market. Then mature fruits are ripened with lower doses of Ethel for uniform colour development.