--- fruit plants I medicinal plants I ornamental plants

Fruit Plants

Banana is one of the oldest fruits known to mankind and also an important food for man.  The probable origin of this crop is South East Asia.  Banana is otherwise called "Apple of Paradise". Most edible bananas belong in the order Scitaminae, family Musaceae, genera Musa, section, Eumusa.  Modern cultivars are derived from various combinations of M.accuminata and M.balbisiana genes.  Predominance of M. bulbisiana genes produces a fruit with reduced water content, and is regarded as a plantain or cooking banana.  Predominance of M.acuminata in the genetic make up results in higher moisture content, such fruit are the eating bananas Modern cultivars are incapable of producing seed as they are at least triploid+ (having atleast three sets of genetic material instead of the standard two).   Depending upon their growth characteristics/genetic make up, bananas are often described with some combination of the letters “A” or “B” (for M.acuminata and M.balbisiana respectively).  The dwarf cavendish for example is often notated with AAA following the cultivar name to describe its genetic make up.  The Mahoi or “Double” is a mosaic of cells containing a variety of sets of genes and is notated as AAA+.  Plantains will often be described with ABB, intergrades, such as the Hua-Moa are termed AAB.  In short, more “A’s” gives you more of a desert banana, more “B” genes, will yield a cooking variety.  The Banana has been domesticated since before recorded history.  It is believed to have originated in the rain forests of the Indo-Pacific, and has been transported across the globe.  Alexander the Great is credited with bringing bananas to the western world from India. Banana - Source of Energy Banana is a rich source of energy about 137 K.cal/100 g).  100 gm of ripe banana pulp contains 27.2 g carbohydrate, 1.2 g protein, 0.3 g fat, 17 mg. Calcium, 36 mg. Phosphorous and o.36 mg. Iron.  Besides this, it is a good laxative.  Important Indian states that are growing banana are Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Maharashtra,  Andhra Pradesh and Bihar. They set fruits by parthenocarpy.  Climate requirement Banana is a humid tropical plant, coming up well in a temperature range of 10oC to 40oC with an average of 23oC.  It can be grown upto an altitude of 1500 metres from MSL.  Wind velocities more than 80 km per hour will damage the crop heavily.  An average of 100 mm rainfall per month is good for banana crop.  Soil requirement Banana can be grown in a variety of soils in India.  Deep well-drained soil with abundant organic matter is highly suitable for its cultivation.  Depth and drainage are the two important soil factors and the minimum depth necessary is about one metre.  A soil pH of 5.5 to 8.0 is found to be optimum. strawberries