Bananas and Bananas and Plantains Plantains Family: Musaceae Family: Musaceae Genus: Musa Genus: Musa Species: Species: M. acuminata M. acuminata M. balbisiana M. balbisiana
Dec 16, 2015
Bananas and Bananas and PlantainsPlantains
Family: MusaceaeFamily: Musaceae
Genus: MusaGenus: Musa
Species: Species: M. acuminataM. acuminata
M. balbisianaM. balbisiana
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Genus MusaGenus MusaSection 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
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Types of BananasTypes of Bananas
BananaBanana– Desert banana, Desert banana,
fresh consumptionfresh consumption– AAAAAA
PlantainPlantain– Cooking, Meal, Cooking, Meal,
Vegetable bananaVegetable banana– Plátano, banano Plátano, banano
machomacho– AAB or ABBAAB or ABB
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Banana Origin and DomesticationBanana Origin and Domestication
AA
AAA
AAB
ABB
AABBAAAB
ABBBABBAA
B
ABIndustry developed in Late 19th Century
AABAAAAA
Before 200 AD
Reached Europe by 1516
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Adaptation: Hot Humid Adaptation: 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
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January 15.5 C isotherm
June 15.5 C isotherm
1,270 mm isohyets
1,270 mm isohyets
Banana Cultivation and ClimateBanana Cultivation and ClimateMost Banana/Plantain Production within Region Most Banana/Plantain Production within Region
with with Winter Temperate Greater than 15.5 C (60 F) Winter Temperate Greater than 15.5 C (60 F)
and and Rainfall greater than 1,270 mm (50”)Rainfall greater than 1,270 mm (50”)
(Figure 6.1 from Simmonds, 1966)
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Banana Cultivation and Banana Cultivation and ClimateClimate
Bananas Grown for Local Bananas Grown for Local ConsumptionConsumption
January 15.5 C isotherm
June 15.5 C isotherm
1,270 mm isohyets
1,270 mm isohyets
BBB
B BB B
B
B
BBB
B
B
B
BB
BB
B B
B
BB
B
(Figure 6.1 from Simmonds, 1966)
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Banana Cultivation and Banana Cultivation and ClimateClimate
Bananas Grown for Export = TBananas Grown for Export = T
January 15.5 C isotherm
June 15.5 C isotherm
1,270 mm isohyets
1,270 mm isohyets
BBB
B BB B
B
B
BBB
B
B
B
BB
BB
B B
B
BB
B
TTT
TTT
T
T
T
T T
T
T
TT
TT
(Figure 6.1 from Simmonds, 1966)
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Weather ProblemsWeather Problems
WindWind– 15-20 mph - leaf damage, twisting, 15-20 mph - leaf damage, twisting,
breakagebreakage– 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
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World Production World 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
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World Production World Production (%)(%)
Region Bananas Plantains
Africa 10% 89%
Asia 56% 4%
Americas 34% 7%
Total (1,000s mt) 72,167 25,309
FAOSTAT database, 2000-2002
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World Production World Production Leading Producing CountriesLeading Producing Countries
Region Bananas Plantains
Africa Burundi, Uganda,Egypt, Cameroon,
Congo
Uganda, Rwanda,Ghana, Nigeria,
Ivory Coast
Asia India, Philippines,China, Indonesia,
Thailand
Myanmar, Sri Lanka
Americas Ecuador, Brazil, CostaRica, Colombia,
Guatemala
Colombia, Peru,Venezuela, Ecuador,
Cuba
FAOSTAT database, 2000-2002
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World ProductionWorld ProductionFAOSTAT database, 2000-2002
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 and 90% grown on small farms and consumed locallyconsumed locally
– 10% exported from plantations10% exported from plantations Latin America and Caribbean regionLatin America and Caribbean region
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World Yields (mt/ha)World Yields (mt/ha)
Region Bananas Plantains
Africa 6.5 5.6
Asia 19.9 10.4
Americas 18.7 10.0
FAOSTAT database, 2000-2002
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Plant StructurePlant StructureMonocotMonocot
Perennial herbPerennial herb– All leaves/inflorescence All leaves/inflorescence
origin from under ground origin from under ground cormcorm
Spreads via rhizomesSpreads via rhizomes Plants “walk”Plants “walk”
– Largest plant without woody Largest plant without woody trunktrunk
Pseudostem, leaf basesPseudostem, leaf bases
– Fruits onceFruits once
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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 Panama diseaseReplaced by Cavendish - resistant to Panama disease
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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 wind damageSmaller plant (2-3 m) - less wind damage– Marginal post harvest qualitiesMarginal post harvest qualities
Does not ripen uniformly - use special chambersDoes not ripen uniformly - use special chambers Susceptible to bruising and discolorationSusceptible to bruising and discoloration
– Shipped packed in boxesShipped packed in boxes– Resistant to Panama diseaseResistant to Panama disease
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Many Locally Important Many Locally Important VarietiesVarieties
Active Active breeding in breeding in Africa, South Africa, South America, and America, and AsiaAsia
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Flower StructureFlower Structure
Three types of flowers on Three types of flowers on inflorescenceinflorescence– Female flowers - develop into Female flowers - develop into
fruitfruit– Hermaphroditic flowersHermaphroditic flowers– Male flowersMale flowers
Fruit is a berryFruit is a berry
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Banana Banana flowerflower
Female
Male
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Banana Banana flowerflower
Male
FemaleThree months from
flowering to harvest
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Botanically the Banana is a Botanically the Banana is a BerryBerry
One pistilOne pistilOne or many seedOne or many seed
Seed Remnants
Other Berries
Tomato
Kiwi
Grape
Persimmon
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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 of Special 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
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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– Yield Yield 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 commercial Four years to attain commercial
productionproduction
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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 develop Bunch take 3 months to develop – Fruiting cycle for Dwarf Cavendish is Fruiting cycle for Dwarf Cavendish is
11 months11 months
Banana plants “walk”Banana plants “walk”
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Training and Plant Training and Plant SelectionSelection
Banana plants “walk”Banana plants “walk”– Select and train sucker for next crop to Select and train sucker for next crop to
not interfere with growing bunchnot interfere with growing bunch– When harvest fruit the sucker should be When harvest fruit the sucker should be
2 m (5-6’)2 m (5-6’)– Eliminate suckers that areEliminate suckers that are
Poorly positionedPoorly positioned Too smallToo small UnhealthyUnhealthy
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ProductionProduction
Fruiting Stem
1st ReplacementDaughter
2nd ReplacementGrand daughter
Fruiting Mat
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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 Asia New strain of the pathogen in Asia
overcomes Cavendish resistance geneovercomes Cavendish resistance gene Need to develop a wider range of Need to develop a wider range of
varieties for the export marketvarieties for the export market
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Panama DiseasePanama Disease
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Black SigatokaBlack SigatokaBanana 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 through Late 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
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Black SigatokaBlack SigatokaBanana Leaf SpotBanana Leaf Spot
Yield Losses - by losing leaf areaYield Losses - by losing leaf area– This is generally not a problem in mixed This is generally not a problem in mixed – 50% yield loss50% yield loss– Also cause premature ripening in harvested Also cause premature ripening in harvested
fruitfruit ControlControl
– Mixed plantingsMixed plantings Generally not a serious problemGenerally not a serious problem
– MonocultureMonoculture Fungicides (Manzate)Fungicides (Manzate) Resistant varietiesResistant varieties
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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 the weekMark with ribbon - colors change with the week– 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
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FertilityFertility
Forty tons of bananas per Forty tons of bananas per hectarehectare– 80 kg N 80 kg N == 80 kg N80 kg N
– 20 kg P20 kg P22OO55 == 9 kg P9 kg P
– 240 kg K240 kg K22OO == 200 kg K200 kg K
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Supporting the CropSupporting the Crop 52% of plant weight is the 52% of plant weight is the
racemeraceme– Prop with polesProp with poles– Guide lines to base of adjacent Guide lines to base of adjacent
plantplant– Leaf pruning can reduce Leaf pruning can reduce
problems with wind damageproblems with wind damage
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HarvestHarvest
Crew harvests at 3-4 day intervalsCrew harvests at 3-4 day intervals– Look for colored ribbons which indicate Look for colored ribbons which indicate
age of bunchage 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
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Cable system Cable system runs from banana runs from banana field to the field to the packing housepacking house
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Fruit Packing and Fruit Packing and GradingGrading
Separate into Separate into handshands
Wash to Wash to prevent prevent stainingstaining
Pack in boxesPack in boxes
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Pack in boxesPack in boxes– Only pack Only pack
unblemished unblemished fruitfruit
Fruit Packing and Fruit Packing and GradingGrading
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Post HarvestPost Harvest
Storage temperatureStorage temperature– 57 - 59 F57 - 59 F– Below 56 F may cause chilling Below 56 F may cause chilling
injuryinjury Bananas are ripened for Bananas are ripened for
marketingmarketing– 58-64 F58-64 F– Ethylene treatmentEthylene treatment
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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 Reduce risk of high blood pressure
and strokesand strokes
Any Questions?Any Questions?