Practical Lakatan Production & Management for the Local Market

SMIARC TechnoguideA publication of Department of Agriculture RFU XISouthern Mindanao Integrated Agricultural Research CenterBago Oshiro, Tugbok District, Davao CityBrochure o. 17 ovember 2007Practical LakatanProduction and Managementfor the Local MarketBanana, considered as the Filipino’s staple fruit can growfrom the poorest to the richest type of soil with varying success.It can tolerate a wide range of soil pH (4.5-7.5) but is sensitiveto standing water. Banana plants require moist, deep, fertileand well-drained soil. For maximum growth & production,it should be planted in fertile sandy loam soil or in alluvialloam soil. This technoguide is produced based on the successfulfarming enterprise of the Magsasaka Siyentista.

Climatic and Soil Requirements Deep soil w/ loam, clay loam, or silty clay loam textures Flat to undulating terrains 1.5 to 1000 masl, it produces sweeter fruits starting at 600masl Can tolerate a pH range of 4.5 to 7.5, it grows optimally at 6.5 pH 2.5% OM Can not thrive in flooded areas Rainfall 10cm per month 15°C to 35°C Sensitive to typhoon areas w/ wind speeds at 40 to 56 km/hr causescrown distortions, while winds reaching 95 km/hr may cause blowdownsPlanting MaterialsTissue Culture plantletsWhole CormsCorm DivisionSuckers

Field EstablishmentBefore land preparation know the following:Suitability of the prospective site in terms of rainfall distribution, climaticconditions, soil properties, topography…etcAvailability of manpower services (labor)Availability of a marketDistance from the marketDrainageFencingPeace and orderConduct a feasibility study as a guide on the anticipated cost, payout timeand expected profitPrepare a plantation layout that includes drainage, road networks, packinghouse, accommodations for farm personnel, guard stations ..etc.Field LayoutSingle RowSquare System1.5m x 3.0m =2,222 hills2.0m x4.0m =1,250hills4.0m x 4.0m =625 hills2.0m x 2.0m =2,500 hill3.0m x 3.0m =1,111 hillsQuincunx System4.0m x 4.0m =1,250 hills

Leaf Pruning and Thinning: Cut all non-functional leaves and leaves affected by sigatoka or freckles. Pile all leaves along rows Always disinfect tools used in cutting leaves to avoid spreading diseaseDo not prune plants infected by moko or fussarium wiltStem and Mat SanitationGet rid of the habitat of insect pest particularly aphids, mealy bugs, thripsand corm weevilsCut the dried portions of the leaf sheathsCut the base of dried or semi-dried harvested stumpsRemove weeds and debris from the base of the matRemove all dried bracts 15cm from the dried portionCut carefully dead stumps, and avoid the mother plant and its followersDo not sanitize plants infected by moko or fussarium wilt

Stem and Mat Spray After stem and mat sanitation spray the mat and pseudo stem with decisor basudin or lorsban to eradicate hiding insects.Fertilization ScheduleMOTHFERTILIZER (g)Complete + MOP1 102 203 304 405 506 607 708 809 9010 100Fertilizer Application11 11012 120