Spacing and Stand Management in Banana and Plantain

Optimized Spacing, Maximum Yield

This technology involves carefully arranging and managing the spacing of banana and plantain plants to maximize yield. It considers factors like variety type, climatic conditions, and soil fertility levels. Different planting systems can be used, including square, triangular, single row, paired row, and contour systems. Herbicide application and "earthing-up" of the stem base may be necessary, especially in windy areas.

This technology is TAAT1 validated.

8•9

Scaling readiness: idea maturity 8/9; level of use 9/9

100 t/ha/year

Dwarf Cavendish planted at 2500 to 4400 plants per ha

IP

Open source / open access

Problem

Uneven Growth and Delayed Maturity: Higher plant densities lead to excess competition for light, nutrients, and water, resulting in uneven growth and delayed maturity.
Excessive Weed Competition: Lower plant densities may lead to excess weed competition, posing a challenge for plant growth.
Accumulation of Pests and Diseases: Over time, unmanaged stands can accumulate pests and diseases, requiring proper rotation of plantation areas.
Increased Labor Requirements for Stand Management: Denser plant arrangements lead to higher labor requirements for managing the stand effectively.
Variability in Bunch Size and Yields: Inadequate spacing can lead to variations in bunch sizes and overall yields of banana and plantain plants.
Vulnerability to Wind Damage: Insufficient protection from wind can lead to potential damage to the plants.

Solution

Uniform Growth and Reduced Labor: Proper spacing ensures that plants receive adequate access to light, nutrients, and water, promoting more even and uniform growth.
Optimized Yield: Well-spaced plants are more likely to reach their full potential in terms of yield, resulting in higher overall production. For example, Dwarf Cavendish, a widespread dessert variety, is planted at densities of 2500 to 4400 plants per ha and can provide as much as 100 t/ha/year.
Reduced Competition for Resources: Adequate spacing minimizes competition among plants for essential resources like light, nutrients, and water, leading to healthier and more productive stands.
Wind Protection: Planting in square blocks, made possible by proper spacing, provides mutual protection against wind, reducing the risk of wind-related damage.
Improved Sunlight Exposure: Straight rows on flat fields and following contour lines on slopes maximize sunlight exposure, which is crucial for photosynthesis and plant growth.
Weed Management: Proper spacing allows for effective weed control, reducing the competition between weeds and the cultivated plants. With proper spacing and residue management, it is possible to establish plantation understories that are virtually weed-free.
Pest and Disease Management: The need to rotate plantation areas over time due to the accumulation of pests and diseases is considered, with a typical stand area of 8 to 10 years before rotation is needed.

Key points to design your business plan

For farmers

Here are practical steps a farmer can take to incorporate the Spacing and Stand Management technology in Banana and Plantain farming:

Training: Participate in a training program on the Spacing and Stand Management technology. This will help you understand the principles of spacing and stand management, its benefits, and how it can increase yield and resource efficiency.
Site Assessment: Evaluate your farm’s soil condition, drainage, and exposure to sunlight. These factors will influence the optimal spacing and arrangement of your banana and plantain plants.
Choose the Right Variety: Different varieties of banana and plantain may require different spacing. Choose a variety that is suitable for your farm’s conditions and your market’s demand.
Prepare the Land: Clear the land of weeds and other crops. Dig holes for planting, typically 30cm deep and 45cm wide, and fortify them with organic materials such as compost or manure.
Planting: Plant the banana and plantain suckers in the prepared holes. The recommended spacing is usually 3m x 3m, but this can vary depending on the variety and your farm’s conditions.
Maintenance: Regularly monitor the plants for pests and diseases. Manage weeds either manually or with the use of herbicides. Apply fertilizers as needed to maintain soil fertility.
Harvesting: Harvest the bananas and plantains when they are mature. Be careful not to damage the plants during harvesting.

Don’t hesitate to seek advice and training from local agricultural extension services or the technology provider. They can provide valuable support to help you successfully implement this technology.

Adults 18 and over: Positive high

Under 18: Positive high

Women: Positive high

Climate adaptability: Highly adaptable

Farmer climate change readiness: Significant improvement

Biodiversity: Positive impact on biodiversity

Carbon footprint: A bit less carbon released

Environmental health: Moderately improves environmental health

Soil quality: Does not affect soil health and fertility

Water use: A bit less water used

Countries with a green colour: Tested & adopted
Countries with a bright green colour: Adopted
Countries with a yellow colour: Tested
Countries with a blue colour: Testing ongoing

Countries where the technology is being tested or has been tested and adopted
Country	Testing ongoing	Tested	Adopted
Benin	–No ongoing testing	–Not tested	Adopted
Burkina Faso	–No ongoing testing	–Not tested	Adopted
Burundi	–No ongoing testing	–Not tested	Adopted
Cameroon	–No ongoing testing	–Not tested	Adopted
Côte d’Ivoire	–No ongoing testing	–Not tested	Adopted
Democratic Republic of the Congo	–No ongoing testing	–Not tested	Adopted
Ethiopia	–No ongoing testing	–Not tested	Adopted
Ghana	–No ongoing testing	–Not tested	Adopted
Kenya	–No ongoing testing	–Not tested	Adopted
Malawi	–No ongoing testing	–Not tested	Adopted
Mali	–No ongoing testing	–Not tested	Adopted
Nigeria	–No ongoing testing	–Not tested	Adopted
Rwanda	–No ongoing testing	–Not tested	Adopted
Somalia	–No ongoing testing	–Not tested	Adopted
South Sudan	–No ongoing testing	–Not tested	Adopted
Tanzania	–No ongoing testing	–Not tested	Adopted
Togo	–No ongoing testing	–Not tested	Adopted
Uganda	–No ongoing testing	–Not tested	Adopted
Zambia	–No ongoing testing	–Not tested	Adopted

This technology can be used in the colored agro-ecological zones. Any zones shown in white are not suitable for this technology.

Agro-ecological zones where this technology can be used
AEZ	Subtropic - warm	Subtropic - cool	Tropic - warm	Tropic - cool
Arid	–	–	–	–
Semiarid	–	–	–	–
Subhumid		–
Humid		–

Source: HarvestChoice/IFPRI 2009

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals that are applicable to this technology.

Goal 1: no poverty

Goal 2: zero hunger

Goal 13: climate action

Plant Density and Spacing: Adjust plant density based on variety and farmer expectations. For example, dwarf varieties should be planted at densities of 2 m x 2 m or less, while larger varieties may be planted at 3 m x 3 m, forming 1,111 mats per ha.
Weed Control: Implement proper spacing practices using different planting systems. Consider a square system with 2 x 2 m or 3 x 3 m spacing. For early weed control, use contact herbicides like glyphosate.
Pest and Disease Management: Rotate plantation areas every 8 to 10 years to disrupt the cycles of pests and diseases.
Labor Management: Optimize spacing to balance labor demands. Avoid excessively dense plantings that require more labor. Implement proper spacing and stand management techniques.
Optimizing Bunch Size and Yields: Follow recommended spacing based on variety and environmental conditions. Ensure plants receive adequate resources for consistent bunch sizes and yields. For instance, plant Dwarf Cavendish varieties at densities of 2500 to 4400 plants per ha.
Wind Protection: Plant in square blocks to provide mutual wind protection. This minimizes the adverse effects of wind on plants.