Intercropping Banana with coconut in Sri Lanka (Musaceae)

Intercropping Banana with coconut in Sri Lanka (Musaceae)

The banana tree is native to Southeast Asia, near Malaysia. Bananas are popular both as a fruit and a vegetable. Currently, bananas are considered the fourth most important crop after rice, wheat, and maize, making it one of the most crucial crops cultivated worldwide. It is second only to oranges among the fruits grown globally. In Sri Lanka, bananas represent about 54% of the total fruit cultivation area. Eating bananas, which are rich in carbohydrates (20-30% dry weight) and essential fiber, helps maintain a healthy state of health.

In intercropping with coconut, bananas are a very popular crop due to their ability to generate income in a short period and the ease of cultivation.

Banana Varieties Suitable for Different Agro-Climatic Zones

Agro-Climatic Zone	As a Fruit	As a Vegetable
Dry Region	Kolikuttu, Ambul, Sini, Kandula	Alu Kesel, Mondan, Pulatisi, Atamuru
Intermediate Zone	Kolikuttu, Ambul, Sugar, Kandula, Anamalu, Amban, Rath Kesel, Nethrampalam	Alu Kesel, Mondan, Pulatisi, Atamuru
Wet Zone	Ambul, Sini, Kandula, Anamalu, Amban, Rath Kesel, Nethrampalam, Suwandel, Pualu, Bin Kesel	Mondan, Pulathisi, Atamuru

Climatic Requirements

Bananas can be grown successfully in all areas from sea level to 1500 meters with widespread rainfall of 1250 to 1900 mm. A temperature range of 27-30°C is ideal. Lower temperatures reduce sucker formation, leaf growth, and flowering. Remedial measures should be taken to protect the crop in areas with high winds.

Soil Requirements

Banana cultivation can be done in a wide range of soils, but good drainage is important. Soil with less than 40% clay content and a groundwater level below 1 meter is favorable. While soil pH values between 4 and 5.8 can support banana growth, the optimum level is between 6 and 7.5.

Suitable Areas

The most suitable areas are humid and semi-humid zones. The dry zone is also suitable if irrigation can be provided during dry periods.

Suitable Coconut Cultivation Areas

Newly planted coconut land (up to five years old)
Coconut land over 25 years old

Planting Time

In the wet zone, cultivation can be done in April, May, October, and November. In the dry zone, it is advisable to cultivate only in October and November.

Methods of Producing Planting Materials

A major problem in banana cultivation is the difficulty in finding healthy, high-yielding plants. Farmers often source planting materials from different parts of the island, leading to the spread of many diseases harmful to banana cultivation. Methods of producing banana plants include:

Naturally occurring suckers
Stimulation of naturally occurring buds
Tissue culture

Naturally Occurring Suckers

It is generally recommended to keep about 2-3 seedlings along with the mother plant of a banana bush for use as planting material. Keeping more than this number until planting time can stunt the growth of the mother plant and reduce the size of the canes. Seedlings of at least 70-80 cm growth are considered suitable for planting. There are mainly three types of suckers that occur on a banana plant:

Sword Suckers

Ideal for planting, with well-developed corms tapering from bottom to top in a conical shape. These plants grow rapidly due to their large tubers and arise from deeper buds in the mother plant. However, their number is limited and varies by variety.

Maiden Suckers

Also suitable for planting, with wide leaves and slightly conical trunks. They grow fast and produce large bunches of bananas.

Water Suckers

Not recommended for planting. These arise from buds near the soil level of the mother plant. They are weak, cylindrical, and have poor growth rates due to the small size of their pods.

Planting Systems

Mature Coconut Plantations (Over 25 Years Old)

Most recommended systems in Sri Lanka are spaced 26 feet apart. Banana cultivation is done between two coconut trees, with the distance between banana plants maintained between 6-8 feet.

New Coconut Plantations (Up to 5 Years Old)

More banana plants can be planted between the coconut trees. Nearby banana plants can be removed later if necessary, depending on coconut plant growth. Two rows of bananas are placed between two rows of coconuts, with an 8-feet distance between rows and 8 feet between plants. This double row system can also be applied to plantations over 25 years old, depending on environmental factors and maintenance.

Traditional Cultivation

While marking the bananas, cut holes of size 60 x 60 x 60 cm (1.5 or 2 feet) at marked places considering the spacing. Mix topsoil with compost or other organic fertilizers, fill the pit to the top, and leave it for a few days before planting. Thoroughly clean the tubers of healthy banana plants, cutting and removing weak parts, roots, and shoots. It is usually more successful to plant during the rainy season or apply artificial irrigation when planting with coconut.

Banana Bush Control

Four months after planting, let the first sucker grow.
When the parent tree is stressed, allow the second sucker to grow. If the mother tree has weak growth, prevent sprouting for another two months.
When the mother banana yields, allow the third sucker to grow, removing other growing plants.

Fertilizer Application

Fertilization is crucial for healthy banana growth. The Department of Agriculture recommends applying fertilizer mixes two months after planting and at four-month intervals. If irrigation is not possible, extend the interval to six months.

Type of Ingredient	Wet Zone (weight per sucker)	Intermediate & Dry Zone (weight per sucker)
Urea	110g	120g
Rock Phosphate	150g	–
Super Phosphate	–	80g
Muriate of Potash	190g	250g
Total	450g	450g

Water Supply

Irrigation is important in dry and intertropical zones due to less frequent rainfall compared to humid zones. Watering once every 7-10 days is generally sufficient. Growth is stunted with water scarcity, and fungal infections are more likely with overwatering.

Improving the Quality of Bunch

Flowering starts 10-12 months after planting, and the time for fruit maturation depends on the variety.

Bunch Maintenance: After bunch growth begins, cut off the banana flower, leaving about four inches from the last hand when the last hand emerges. This helps the bunch grow larger and reduces habitats for harmful animals.

Application of Cover: Cover bananas as soon as flowers are cut. This increases bunch weight by about 40% and reduces disease and pest damage, resulting in uniformly yellow bananas when ripened. Use paper, coconut leaf covers, straw covers, or banana leaf stalks.

Placing Supports: As bunch weight increases, even slight winds can cause trees to break. Support posts provide external support to the bunch.

Removal of the Tip: Removing the two flower hands of a banana enhances the surface area of the remaining hands. However, this may not be profitable for supplying the general market.

Pest & Disease Management