BIO-PHYSICAL BASIS FOR INTERCROPPING
In monocrop coconut, much area is left unproductive throughout its life span. The effective root area per coconut palm is only 12.5 sq m and the functional roots are concentrated between 30 and 130 cm depth, which give an ample space for intercrop.
In intercropping with banana, fertilization of coconut should be separate from banana according to the following:
WHY BANANA?
- Banana can be intercropped in 1 to 3 years old coconut and/or 25 years and above.
- Their basic climatic requirements are almost the same.
- Banana needs less water than coconut.
- Banana is fast-growing plant that bears fruit in less than one year.
- There is a high demand for dessert and cooking banana locally and abroad.
- Banana is a very profitable intercrop.
- It has many uses.
- Banana is high in nutritive value (i.e. carbohydrates, potassium, calcium, vitamin C and B6)
LAND PREPARATION
After clearing the interspaces of coconut, mark the required distance: 3 x 3 m for Lakatan and Latundan; 5 x 5 m for Cardaba/Saba.
PREPARATION OF PLANTING MATERIALS
- Bole out corms with 1-3 live buds/sword suckers/maiden suckers and cut all roots leaving 1-2 cm long from the head.
- For corms, treat with 50 gm Dithane M45 + 30 ml/Basudin 60 EC + 1.5 ml sticker + 20 liters water or soak in 1300F hot water for 10 minutes.
- For suckers, retain 2 youngest leaves.
PLANTING
- Dig hole depending on size of planting materials.
- Plant corms in slanting position with growing point on top.
- For suckers, plant in upright position and cover with soil up to the collar and press gently.
MAINTENANCE
- Fertilize banana with the following fertilizers and rates under two options: 100% inorganic fertilizer (IF) or 75% inorganic + 25% organic fertilizer (OF)
- Ring-weed banana at one meter radius.
- Remove dry leaves regularly.
- Allow only one sucker per hill at a time.
- Do either bud injection or preemergence bud spray/ bunch spray.
- Debud and wrap developed fruits of Lakatan with plastic bag. Wrap fruit bud with sack and remove when bunch are fully developed and the bud to be cut off.
HARVESTING
Harvest 10 to 15 months after planting or when the following are observed:
- Fruits are full, plum, round and light green.
- Angles of the fingers are rounded.
- Leaves turn yellow.
For more information, contact:
Agronomy, Soils and
Farming Systems Division
Philippine Coconut Authority
Davao Research Center
Bago Oshiro, Tugbok District,
Davao City 8000
Tel. No.: (082) 293-0161
E-mail: [email protected]
Source: www.pca.gov.ph