This archive report was first published on 2 August 2019.
Tissue Culture Banana Farming: Expert Advice ¶
Published on August 2, 2019
By SEEDS OF GOLD EXPERTS
Are you interested in tissue culture banana farming? We spoke to Carol Mutua, Department of Crops, Horticulture, and Soils, Egerton University, to get expert advice on best practices.
Carol advises that bananas can grow in most regions of the country, with Giant Cavendish, Grand Nain, and Mbogoya being good ripening varieties, while Uganda Green is a good cooking variety.
For those looking to get started, Carol recommends sourcing tissue culture banana seedlings from Kalro, Thika.
When it comes to growing practices, Carol emphasizes the importance of hole preparation, spacing, and fertilization. She notes that hole dimensions depend on the area's potential, with arid areas requiring larger holes and moderately wet areas requiring smaller ones.
For spacing, Carol recommends 2.7m x 2.7m for dwarf cultivars, 3m x 3m for medium cultivars, and 3.6m x 3.6m for giant cultivars.
Regular fertilization is also crucial, with 250g/plant of DSP applied during planting and 100-125g of CAN/plant or its equivalent after plant establishment.
Other essential practices include pruning, weeding, and removing male parts to avoid creating an alternative sink for metabolites/nutrients.
Carol also recommends using polyethylene bunch covers to improve yields and maintain quality.
For those with specific questions or concerns, Carol invites readers to contact her department at Egerton University for tailored advice and testing for food safety.
