Give an account of the production of banana, using the following sub-headings: (a) one common variety; (b) planting materials; (c) propagation; (d) husbandry; (e) two common pests; (f) two common diseases and how each is controlled; (g) maturity period.
Explanation
The production of banana can best be explained under the following headings: (a) Common cultivars/varieties of banana: These are: Gross Michael, cavaendish or canary.
(b) Planting materials: These are corm (or bits), peeper suckers, sword sucker and maiden sucker
(c) Propagation: To plant or propagate, large planting holes should be dugged out. The hole should be refilled with well manured soil before planting the sucker into it and the spacing should be 4m or 5m apart.
(d) Husbandry: The plantation should be well taken care of by weeding the spaces between banana stands, regular application of manure or nitrogenous and potassium fertilizers, pruning of suckers to avoid overcrowding per stand. The plantation should be irrigated when rainfall is insufficient. There should also be mulching of stand and control of diseases and pests.
(e) Common Pest: These include nematode, stem borer, rats.
(f) Common diseases and their control: These include Panama disease which could be controlled by flooding for at least six months. Others are leaf spot which can be controlled by spraying with a suitable fungicide; Sigatoka which can also be controlled by the use of appropriate fungicides.
(g) Maturity period: This is 12 — 18 months.