Land is ploughed in both directions and left in the open sun for a period of two months which kills pests and disease causing organisms.
Growing sun hemp and mixing with soil is also recommended. Put at least 10 tons of farmyard manure at the time of ploughing. Mix manure with soil in the pits since putting it directly to the plant base may cause fungal infection. Supply of organic manure is compulsory for healthy growth of banana plants. Trenches of 1.5 ft in depth are dug with an MD plough in bigger plots than digging individual pits. As for manual digging, pit size is 1.5 cubic feet.
Spacing regime
Banana spacing is 6 by 6 feet or 7 by 5 feet. This accommodates around 1200 plants per acre. In high density planting, 4 by 4 feet or 5 by 5 feet spacing is followed. Double row planting is becoming popular because wider space is helpful for light and air penetration, into cultivation, irrigation etc.
Farmer experience says that double row spacing of 4 by 4 feet in pair rows and 8 feet between two pair rows is good. It accommodates around 1675 plants per acre.
Pit treatment
Mix 5 ml of chlorophyriphos, 3 grams C.O.C, 50 grams DAP in 1 litre of water. Drench 200 ml of this solution to each pit and put 10 grams of phorate granules. These solution is necessary for the control of soil- borne pests and diseases.
Intensive spacing
Few intensive farmers follow the closest spacing of 7 by 4 into 3.5 feet, 7by 4 into 4 feet or 8 into 4 into 3 feet. It gives the highest yield of 60 tons per acre. Triangular alignment of plants in rows is better.
In high density plantation the nutrients management schedule should be followed strictly.
