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2. To increase productivity in unit area, it is advisable to go for high density planting systems. Besides higher yield, high density planting also helps to reduce labour cost for matt management and increase the efficiency of utilization of inputs such as fertilizers and water. Experiments conducted by TNAU in cv. Nendran and Robusta with increased population per hectare has indicated that very high yields can be achieved PreviousNextEnd

3.  The population is increased by adjusting the row to row spacing and planting more than one sucker / hill.  Accordingly, the following spacing is recommended. For cv. Nendran, adopt a spacing of 2 x 3 m with 3 suckers per pit (5000 plants/ha) with 25% extra NPK fertilizers per pit. In the case of Robusta, adopt a spacing of 1.8 x 3.6 m with 3 suckers per pit (4600 plants/ha) with 300:90:450 g of NPK per pit PreviousNextEnd

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11. Weed control During early stages, complete control of weeds could be obtained by raising cowpea in the interspaces. In gardens where this is not possible, pre-emergence application of diuron 1.5 kg/ha or oxyfluorfen 0.2 kg/ha is effective. Weeds emerging later could be controlled by the application of paraquat 0.4 kg/ha or glyphosate 0.4 kg/ha. If hand weeding is resorted to, give 4-5 surface diggings depending on weed growth. Avoid deep digging. Do not disturb soil after plants start producing bunches. If green manure crop is grown, weeding operations can be reduced to 1-2 diggings. PreviousNextEnd

12. Garden land Mammutti or by spade, digging may be given at bi-monthly intervals and periodically earthing up should be done. The side suckers should be removed at monthly intervals. The dry and diseased leaves are to be removed and burnt to control the spread of leaf spot diseases. Male flowers may be removed a week after opening of last hand in Robusta banana to avoid “Cigar end rot”. Floral remnants may be removed a week after opening of the last hand. The plants at flowering may be propped. The peduncle should be covered with flag leaf to prevent main stalk end rot. The bunches may be also covered with banana leaves to avoid sunscald. PreviousNextEnd

13. Trenches should be formed in between alternate rows and cross trenches at every 5 th row. The trenches should be periodically deepened and the soil is spread over the bed. Surface diggings may be given at bi-monthly intervals and desuckering at monthly intervals. The male flower buds can be cut a week after opening of last hand. The plants should be given propping at or prior to flowering. It is also advisable to cover the peduncle with flag leaf and the bunch with leaves to avoid sunscald. PreviousNextEnd

14. For ratoon crops in respect of Poovan, Monthan and Rasthali, the flower is allowed at flowering of the mother plant by choosing one vigorously growing sucker and removing the others. Perennial banana Surface digging should be done with mammutti once in two months. One deep digging should be provided with mammutti during January – February. Other operations should be practiced as in garden lands. PreviousNextEnd

15. In the sloppy terrains, the soil is loosened by 3-4 forkings in January, April, July and October. The outer sheaths are periodically removed to prevent the lifting of the corm and to keep the corm inside the soil and ward off borer attack. It is advisable to maintain two bearing plants and two followers per clump along the contour. PreviousNextEnd

16. During the development stages, the surface of the fingers may get bruised or damaged due to their exposure. Use of transparent polythene sleeves provided with 2-4% ventilation to cover the bunches can be helpful to avoid such damages.. PreviousNextEnd

17. Besides, reducing the blemishes, it improves bunch appeal, advances the maturity by 7-10 days in banana The right stage of bunch covering is when the last hand has opened and the male bud has to be removed at that time. The top end of the sleeves should alone be tied with the peduncle leaving the bottom open for better aeration. PreviousNextEnd

18. The male bud along with the removal of withered styles 8- 11 days after bunch emergence along with the removal of withered styles is recommended to favour fruit development. This is called denavelling PreviousNextEnd

19. It refers to the removal of unwanted suckers. They are to be periodically removed otherwise they compete with the mother plant for nutrients, resulting in lower bunch weight vis a vis yield. PreviousNextEnd

20. The pseudostem requires the support from propping with bamboo or casuarina poles at the time of bunch emergence. The pole is fixed and tied around on, one side of the plant or two poles are tied at the tip in such a way, they form ‘x’ shaped and are kept against the pseudostem to bear the weight of the bunches. PreviousNextEnd

21. Smoke treatment is the commonest method to induce ripening in Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra. Smoking is done with straw, leaves and cow dung in a closed chamber with bunches arranged in a heap for 18-24 hours in summer and 48 hours in winter. After taking the bunches from the chambers, they are placed in a well ventilated room for development of colour. Bunches take 3 days for ripening in this method. PreviousNextEnd