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Karia Self Help Group has just agreed to have group meetings every
week on topics of interest.
Eliud - Peter and Janet are here learning to find information on
organic farming with the assistance of Jane
Were present:
Jane Michere
Janet Hunja
Peter Kabiro
Photo from Kiangwaci Self Help Group.
Note: Recommended spacing is 5m row, 4m inter row. Only green fresh
leaves should be left. Intercropping is recommended in early stages of
growth.
PLANTING
At least 2 feet (0.6m) deep and 2 feet in diameter and filled with
topsoil mixed with organic manure. For areas with frequent droughts,
larger pits of about 5 feet (1.5m) in diameter and 3 feet (0.9 M) deep
are recommended.
SPACING depends on variety, such that tall variety be spaced 5m by 4m
giving 400 plants per acre as short varieties be spaced 3m by 3m
giving population of 1000 plants per acre or 2500 plants per hectare.
It is recommended to cover the planted suckers with mulch to regulate
moisture losses.
MOST SUITABLE PLANTING period is towards the end of the dry season, or
at the beginning of the rainy season.
Fruiting plant should support by stacking. Each stand to have at most
three plants at different stages for bigger bunches bearing.
PLANTING MATERIAL SELECTION: Young healthy suckers/rhizomes free from
pests and diseases are suitable for planting to avoid disease spread
in the farm. Farm in existence for over 7 years is not good source of
planting material as it has accumulated a lot of pests and diseases.
FIELD MANAGEMENT: Proper spacing, water provision, desuckering,
pruning are field management practices that will last health banana
groove for more than 10 years of good yield.
DIESASE AND PEST MANAGEMENT:
· Plant healthy suckers free from pests and diseases.
· Maintain proper spacing.
· Uproot and burn diseased material.
· Treat infected soil by fumigants
YIELD.
Yield will depend on field management, banana variety and seasonal
conditions experienced after fruiting.
Green banana for cooking yields between 15- 40 kg bunch with potential
of 60kg in average managed fields.
Ripening or Yellow banana gives yield 10- 30 kg with potential of 50kg
a bunch.
By Joseph Orende for karia community
Banana weevils affect pseudo stem resulting in root and stem rot reducing water and mineral uptake, plant weaken some fall and yield reduce drastically.
The fruit is affected by silver thrips 1-2mm. The affected fruit bear silver patches spreading to whole fruit.
Banana leaves infested with Aphids Pentalomia nigronervosa attacking in collonies. The pest is a vector transmitting viral disease bunchy-top virus disease besides sucking banana sap.
Banana groove intensively affected by nematodes have weak stems and easily pulled down by wind or plant weight.
Fruit end turns grey-ash with wrinkles appears burnt end cigarette. May spread to whole ripening fruit. Photo shows infected fruit severely affected by cigar end rot. Fruit end turns grey-ash with wrinkles with end burnt like cigar and spread to whole fruit.
Caused by fungus attacking roots and block vascular system supplying water and processed food. Leaves turn yellow from lower part (margins) progressing upwards. Leaves die and stem collapses.
Black cigatoka is caused by fungus Mycosphaerella fijiensis. The spores (germs) enter openings of leaves forming lesions. Affected spots spread and whole leaf dies and droops.
KARIA SHG members being trained on how to use a computer by University of
Nairobi VeSeL partners in February, 2008
Originally uploaded by Prof. T. Waema on behalf of karia.community
