Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
subtropical areas to meet certain harvest periods in the fi rst crop cycle (Galán
Saúco, 1992). Also in the subtropics, the late summer through to the winter
is avoided, so as not to expose young plants to low temperatures. The concern
in the tropics is to avoid hot weather or a dry season; hence, the best time for
planting is just before the wet season. In hurricane-prone areas, planting is
done before the hurricane or typhoon season, so that the plants are still short
and less prone to being blown over.
Planting densities from 1000 to 3000 plants/ha are used in triangle,
rectangle, single- or double-row cropping patterns. Double rows combine
higher density with a 3.5 m alley for access. The actual density depends upon
cultivar and climate. Higher densities are used in hot, dry localities to generate
the necessary shade and microclimate for maximum yields. The vigour of a
plantation is related to the canopy characteristics, leaf area index and yield.
If only one growth cycle is to be used, a higher density may be planted (3000
plants/ha), for three or more growth cycles; a lower density is recommended
(2000 plants/ha) for highest gross margin.
Export bananas are usually planted in equilateral triangles or in double
rows; in a few cases a square arrangement that is 2.4 m × 2.4 m is used.
The equilateral triangle (hexagonal) system allows for a better use of space;
normally the sides of the triangle are 2.5 or 2.7 m, resulting in 1800-2000
plants/ha. In the double-row system, two closely planted rows are separated
by a wider space from the next double row. The double rows are 1 m apart; the
plants are at 2.25 m in the row and 3.75 m is left between the double rows,
giving a total of 1840 plants/ha. This system allows for the movement of small
equipment in the fi eld and makes harvest easier by allowing a cable system
to be set up parallel to the double-planted rows, from which the bunches are
hung with strings to avoid the pseudostems from falling over because of the
fruit weight and damaging the bunch.
Orientation of double rows N to S or E to W does not signifi cantly ef ect
yield (Belalcazar, 1991). More important is to orient rows to avoid erosion in
fi elds planted on a slope and wind damage from the prevailing winds.
High-density annual plantings
In recent years, especially with plantains, a system using high-density planting
and a single harvest developed in Colombia (Belalcazar, 1991) is now being
used in Central America (Lardizabal and Gutierrez, 2006). The fi eld is prepared
and planted in double or single rows in a rectangular arrangement, with 3333
to around 4000 plants/ha. To achieve 3333 plants in the double-row system,
there would be 1.2 m between the twin rows and 1.5 m in rows, with 2.8 m
between the double rows. In single-row arrangement, the plants are 1.50 m
in row and 2.0 m between rows. For 4000 plants/ha, the distances between
double rows and single rows are reduced. When 50-60% of the plants are
