Agrometeorology of the Banana Crop

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CONTENTS

page LIST OF TABLES LIST OF FIGURES INTRODUCTION

1

2 2.1 2.2

ORIGIN AND SPREAD Varieties and nomenclature Description of the plant

1 2 3

3 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 3.8 3.9

THE BANANA CLIMATE General climatic conditions. Distribution and production Climate Production Climatic regime of the banana growing regions Optimization of rainfall and temperature limits Climatic zones Climatic factors and planting season Effect of season on fruit quality Effect of climatic conditions on leaf size, leaf number and leaf unfurling processes in banana Leaf number Climatic factors and rate of leaf production

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19 19 20 20

5.5

BANANA PLANTATION AND WIND EFFECTS Effect of wind Planting season in relation to wind Banana cultivation and the cyclonic regions Leaf tearing and its effects on leaf temperature, transpiration and photosynthesis Photosynthetic rate as affected by leaf form

6 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5

LIGHT INTENSITY AND BANANA CROP Effect of light intensity on banana growth and yield Solar radiation and net assimilation Effects of shading Effect of shading on leaf area Effect of shading on water and nutrient contents of leaf

25 25 25 26 27 27

4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 4.8 4.9

L 8

11 11 12

WATER REQUIREMENTS OF BANANA CROP Water requirements, evapotranspiration and irrigation practices Available water in the soil and water use by banana Evapotranspiration from banana plantation Trickle irrigation Effect of water logging on the growth and yield of banana Effect of drought Plant symptoms during drought Effects of drought and heat Root activity in dry and wet seasons

4 4.1

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3.10 3.11

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5 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4

14 15 15 17 17 la la 19 19

22 23

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page 7 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 7.6 7.7 7.8 7.9 7.10 7.11 7.12 7.13 7.14 7.15 8 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 8.5 8.6 8.7 8.8 8.9 8.10 8.11 8.12 8.13 8.14 8.15 8.16 8.17 8.18 8.19 8.20 8.21 8.22 8.23 8.24 8.24.1 8.24.2

BANANA

AND THE TEMPERATURE REGIME Effect of temperature on growth and development of banana Diurnal variation in leaf growth The growth of banana plants in relation to temperature under controlled conditions Effect of low temperature and cold weather on phenology in the subtropics Manipulation of crop timing and other practices for stable production in the subtropics Effect of season on inflorescence and differentiation, bunch initiation in tropical and subtropical climates Fruit growth and development in relation to environment Rate of bunch growth Effect of temperature and seasonal variation on concentration of nutrients in banana plants Temperature, ripening and keeping quality of banana Banana ripening Variation of pulp firmness with temperature and shelf life Adjustment of temperature for ripening in relation to time Effect of humidity on storage and ripening The ripening of plantains and effect of humidity PEST AND DISEASES OF THE BANANA CROP AND WEATHER CONDITIONS The Sigatoka disease Disease symptoms Effect of weather conditions on inoculum production and dissemination Role of Conidia and Ascospores in epidemiology Behaviour of Conidia and Ascospores in relation to rainfall and dew Effect of temperature on germination of Ascopores and Conidia Germ tube growth Factors affecting duration of incubation period Influence of rainfall pattern on dissemination Seasonal variation Localized climatic differences Forecasting Sigatoka disease Preharvest and post harvest diseases in banana Pitting disease Brown spot Deightoniella freckle Fruit freckle Cigar end tip rot Fungus diseases of the post harvest fruit Effect of temperature Crown rot Anthracnose The bunchy top viral disease The effect of adverse weather conditions on growth of banana Wind injury Chilling injury

27 27 29 29

31 32 33 36 37 39 39 40 42 42 42 43 43 43 44 44 44 45 45 47 47 49 50 50 51 54 54 56 56 56 57 57 58 58 58 60 60 60

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8.24.3 8.24.4 8.24.5 8.24.6

Choke Frost Hail Sun scorch/sun burn/sun scald

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CONCLUSION Areas of further research Operational research programmes on a short term and priority basis

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9.1 9.2

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REFERENCES

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ANNEX1

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ANNEX II

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