Banana
Banana (Musa sapientum) is an important fruit crop in India. Bananas are grown in
more than 150 countries, producing 105 million tonnes of fruit per year. The global
production of banana is around 102028.17 thousand tons of which India contributes
29.19%. Main banana growing states are Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Andhra
Pradesh and Karnataka.
IMPORTANCE:
Banana is a very popular fruit due to its low price and high nutritive value. It is consumed
both in fresh and cooked form both as ripe and raw fruit.
Banana is a rich source of carbohydrate and is rich in vitamins particularly vitamin B. It is
also a good source of potassium, phosphorus, calcium and magnesium. The fruit is easy to digest,
free from fat and cholesterol. Banana powder is used as the first baby food. It helps in reducing the
risk of heart diseases when used regularly and is recommended for patients suffering from high
blood pressure, arthritis, ulcer, gastroenteritis and kidney disorders.
Processed products, such as chips, banana puree, jam, jelly, juice, wine and halwa can be
made from the fruit. The tender stem, which bears the inflorescence is extracted by removing the
leaf sheaths of the harvested pseudostem and used as vegetable. Plantains or cooking bananas are
rich in starch and have a chemical composition similar to that of potato.
Banana fibre is used to make items like bags, pots and wall hangers. Rope and good quality
paper can be prepared from banana waste. Banana leaves are used as healthy and hygienic eating
plates
Important Banana Producing States and Districts
- Maharashtra Jaigaon, Dhule, Buldhana
2. Tamil Nadu Thiruchirapalli, Coimbatore, Pudukottai, North Arcot,
Ambedkar, Theni, Periyar, Karur, Dindigul Anna, Thanjavur,
Nammakal, Madurai
3. Gujarat Surat, Anand, Bharuch, Narmada, Vadodara
4. Madhya Pradesh Khandwa, Badwani, Khargone, Dhar
5. Andhra Pradesh Cudappa, Guntur, East Godavari, West Godavari,
Vijayanagram, Vishakhapatnam, Karnool, Krishna,
Prakasham.
6. Karnataka Shimoga, Dakshin Kannada, Tumkur, Bangalore,Udupi,
Uttara Kannada, Belgaum, Chickmangalur, Hassan, Mandya.
7. Assam Barpeta, Kamrup, Nalbari. Nagaon, Sonitpur.
8. West Bengal Nadia, North 24 Pragana, Hoogly, Murshidabad, Jalpaiguri,
and Midnapur
Table Showing State-wise, Variety-wise Information.
| State | Varieties grown |
| Andhra Pradesh | Dwarf Cavendish, Robusta, Rasthali, Amritpant, Thellachakrakeli, Karpoora Poovan, Chakrakeli, Monthan and Yenagu Bontha |
| Assam | Jahaji (Dwarf Cavendish), Chini Champa, Malbhog, Borjahaji (Robusta), Honda, Manjahaji, Chinia (Manohar), Kanchkol, Bhimkol, Jatikol, Digjowa, Kulpait, Bharat Moni |
| Bihar | Dwarf Cavendish, Alpon, Chinia , Chini Champa, Malbhig, Muthia, Kothia , Gauria |
| Gujarat | Dwarf Cavendish, Lacatan, Harichal (Lokhandi), Gandevi Selection, Basrai, Robusta, G-9, Harichal, Shrimati |
| Jharkhand | Basrai, Singapuri |
| Karnataka | Dwarf Cavendish, Robusta, Rasthali, Poovan, Monthan, Elakkibale |
| Kerala | Nendran (Plantain), Palayankodan (Poovan), Rasthali, Monthan, Red Banana, Robusta |
| Madhya Pradesh | Basrai |
| Maharashtra | Dwarf Cavendish, Basrai, Robusta, Lal Velchi, Safed Velchi, Rajeli Nendran, Grand Naine, Shreemanti, Red Banana |
| Odisha | Dwarf Cavendish, Robusta, Champa, Patkapura (Rasthali) |
| Tamil Nadu | Robusta, Rasthali, Poovan, Nendra, Red Banana, Ney Poovan, Monthan, Karpuavalli, Matti, Moris, Peyan and Hill Banana |
| West Bengal | Champa, Mortman , Dwarf Cavendish, Giant Governor, Kanthali, Singapuri, Amrut Sagar and Lacatan |
The varietal characteristics of commercially grown Banana are given below :
| Grand Naine | It is the popular international variety. It is a tall statured plant and a heavy yielder with long cylindrical bunch. On an average it produces a bunch weighing 25 kg and may go up to 32-35 kg, with 8-10 hands with 200-220 fruits/bunch. The length of the fruit is 15-21 cm and girth is 12-13 cm. |
| Robusta | It is normal statured with black brown blotches on the stem, bunches weigh around 20 kg having 8-10 hands/bunch. The length of the fruit is in the range of 15-20 cm and girth is about 12 cm with thick fruit skin. |
| Dwarf Cavendish | The plant stature is dwarf. Dark black brown blotches appear all along the stem. Bunches are large with compactly arranged 8-10 hands weighing about 20kg. Length of fruit is about 13-14 cm and girth is about 8-10 cm. Skin is thick and the fruit gradually tapers towards the tip. It is not fit for export. |
| Red Banana | The plant is tall and robust statured. The colour of the fruit, pseudostem, petiole and midrib is purplish red. The bunch weight is around 20-25 kg with 6-7 hands and 80 fruits/bunch. The length of the fruit is around 16-18 cm. |
| Nendran | There is a considerable diversity in plant stature. Bunch has 5-6 hands weighing about 6-12 kg. Fruits have a distinct neck with thick green skin turning buff yellow on ripening. Fruits remain starchy even on ripening. |