2007 Annual Report for SW05-053
Research and Demonstration on Banana production Technologies in Micronesia
Summary
Tissue cultured “Lacatan” banana planting materials were planted in the research and demonstration farms of three farmer cooperators in Ngaremlengui, in Airai and in Melekeok State, Palau. To demonstrate the effect of nutrients on the growth of “Lacatan” banana, each demonstration farm was divided into four sections, namely: a) no manure and fertilizer (Control); b) manure and fertilizer at planting time; c) manure and fertilizer every 2 months; and d) manure every 2 months. Bimonthly observations on the height, number of suckers, total number of leaves and number of sick leaves (infected with black leaf streak) were taken on banana plants in different treatments at the farmer’s field. Results consistently showed that “Lacatan” banana fertilized with manure and fertilizer every 2 months were significantly taller than those fertilized at planting time only.
Plants applied with manure every two months were significantly shorter while those without manure or fertilizer were the shortest plants. At fourteen months after planting, highest percentage flowering and fruiting was observed in the treatments with manure and fertilizer every two months. At one year after planting (June, 2007), an alarming incidence of Marasmielus disease infestation was observed in all the farmers' fields leading to death of mother plants. Since recommended fungicides are not available on island, to alleviate this condition removal of Marasmiellus–affected leafheaths was done on the infected plants. The plants continue to produce new leaves and we are still monitoring its effectiveness in recovering from the disease.
As of December, 2007, travel of the principal investigator and project cooperator to commercial banana farms in Davao City, Philippines, to learn latest trends and technologies on banana production has not yet been done.
Objectives/Performance Targets
- 1. Establish research and demonstration areas in producers farms on traditional and appropriate technologies for small scale banana production.
2. Set up an experiment in producers farms to determine nutrient requirements for successful banana production in Palau.
3. Visit of Principal Investigator and Project Cooperator to a commercial banana plantation in Davao City, Philippines, to learn latest trends and technologies in banana production.
4. Assist and guide the farmer in appropriate cultural management practices, post harvest technology and marketing strategy to ensure successful banana production.
5. Produce a handbook on small scale banana production
6. Train farmers and extension agents on best management practices for successful banana production.
Accomplishments/Milestones
• Samples of soils from the farms were submitted to an appropriate laboratory for soil analysis to determine the native nutritional status of the soil. Results revealed that the soil had very low levels of phosphorus and potassium.
• Research and demonstration areas were established in farms of three farmer cooperators in (Abia’s Farm and PCC R&D Station) in Ngaremlengui, (Gina’s Farm) in Airai in June, 2006 and in (Rdiall’s Farm) in Melekeok State, Palau in October, 2006.
• To demonstrate the effect of nutrients on the growth of “Lacatan” banana, each demonstration farm was divided into four sections, namely: a) no manure and fertilizer (Control); b) manure and fertilizer at planting time; c) manure and fertilizer every 2 months; and d) manure every 2 months.
• Tissue cultured “Lacatan” banana planting materials were planted in the demonstration farms so they will all be at the same stage of development. The plants were laid out at 4 x 4 meters distance of planting with 24 to 28 plants per treatment.
• Bimonthly observations on the height, number of suckers, total number of leaves and number of sick leaves were taken on banana plants in different treatments at the farmer's field. Weeding and removal of sick leaves infected with black Sigatoka or black leaf streak were regularly done in the banana farms. This disease is characterized by reddish-brown linear streaks parallel to veins on undersurface of leaf, tending to be more concentrated toward the tip and along the leaf edge. Streaks increase in size, darkening, become noticeable on upper surface, coalesce leading to large necrotic areas and finally death of the leaf.
• Results consistently showed that “Lacatan” banana fertilized with manure and fertilizer every 2 months were significantly taller than those fertilized at planting time only. Plants applied with manure every two months were significantly shorter while those without manure or fertilizer were the shortest plants.
• In April, flowering started in the plots with manure and fertilizer every two months in Abia’s Farm and Gina’s Farm. At 14 months after planting (August, 2007), highest percentage flowering and fruiting was observed in the treatments with manure and fertilizer every two months. Average yield observed in Abia’s farm was 14 kg bunch weight with 92 fingers, while in Gina’s Farm, bunch weight was 16 kg with 172 fingers.
• At one year after planting (June, 2007), an alarming incidence of Marasmielus disease infestation was observed in Abia’s Farm (7–35%) and at the R&D Station (36%) in Ngaremlengui State and Gina’s Farm (5–20%) in Airai State. This disease is characterized by death of outer leafsheaths and leaves, water soaked lesions within the outer leafsheaths, pink fungal growth often visible between the sheaths and fungal fruiting bodies (mushrooms) are produced in the pseudostem or debris on the ground. The young emerging leaves and emerging flowers and fruits become smaller and aborted and the mother plant eventually dies.
• Since recommended fungicides are not available on island, to alleviate this condition removal of Marasmiellus–affected leafheaths was done on the infected plants. The plants continue to produce new leaves and we are still monitoring its effectiveness in recovering from the disease.
• After more than a year of the experiment, it has become apparent that the good nutritional status of the plants increase their resistance and chances for recovery from diseases. Therefore, the plots without manure and fertilizer were fertilized and they seem to be responding very well to good nutrition.
• As of December 2007, travel of the principal investigator and project cooperator to commercial banana farms in Davao City, Philippines, to learn latest trends and technologies on banana production has not yet been done.
Impacts and Contributions/Outcomes
None yet.