Organic farming in banana: A sustainable approach to cultivation

Bananas (Musa spp.) are a globally significant fruit crop, crucial for food security, income, and nutrition, particularly in tropical and subtropical climates.Their rapid biomass accumulation and shallow root system necessitate considerable nutrient uptake, especially nitrogen and potassium.Historically, synthetic fertilizers have been the primary method for banana cultivation.While effective, their prolonged use raises environmental and economic concerns.Consequently, there's a growing shift towards sustainable practices, with organic fertilizers gaining prominence as a feasible alternative.Organic nutrient sources, including vermicompost, farmyard manure, poultry manure, neem cake, and wood ash, have been documented to substantially improve vegetative growth, fruit yield, and quality in bananas.These organic amendments improve soil structure, stimulate microbial activity, and enhance nutrient availability, thereby fostering healthier plant development.Furthermore, biofertilizers such as Azospirillum, phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (PSB), arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), and Trichoderma play a role in nutrient cycling, disease resistance, and stress tolerance.Integrated organic approaches, such as combining composts with bio-inoculants and natural preparations like jeevamrutha, have demonstrated improvements in key physiological traits and reduced crop cycles, while also enhancing parameters like bunch weight, fruit size, total soluble solids (TSS), and pulp-topeel ratio.These findings underscore the potential of organic fertilizers in promoting sustainable banana cultivation without compromising yield or quality.Nevertheless, further research is required to optimize formulations and application methods for different banana varieties and specific agro-climatic conditions.