DESUCKERING AND MATTOCKING IN BANANA
Next End DESUCKERING It refers to the removal of unwanted suckers.
They are to be periodically removed otherwise they compete withthe mother plant for nutrients, resulting in lower bunch weight vis avis yield. Previous Next End DESUCKERING SERVES THREE PURPOSES
Selecting the best follower suckers and preventingcompetition, Conserving the homogeneity of plant layout in the field, Maintaining the same number of plants per hectare. Desuckering is one of the most difficult cultural operations to be carried out in a banana plantation. Progress in the domain requires the use of a well-trained, experienced team. Previous Next End SPECIFIC DESUCKERING METHOD FOR TISSUE CULTURE BANANA PLANTS
In most cases, the desuckering techniques used in the first cyclelead to heterogeneous suckers that are frequently somewhatrosetted. Flowering of the second generation is often staggered in time andbunch weights Vary considerably. CIRADFLHOR has developed a specific desuckering method forfirst cycle tissue culture plants in order to correct these defects. From the second cycle onwards, desuckering is performed as inclassic banana plantations. Previous Next End THE MORPHOLOGY OF THE SUCKER SYSTEM IN TISSUE CULTURE PLANTS
The suckers grown by bananas micropropagated in vitro do not grow in a particular direction. Even if they are of different physiological ages, it isimpossible in most cases to identify a sucker that is dominantin relation to the others. Tissue culture plants grow suckers very soon after planting. Two to five can be seen at the surface of the soi1 in the second month. Previous Next End The sucker insertion point does not move when the mother plant
The first series of suckers grow deeplyaround the mother plant with theirinsertion points beneath the mothercorm. The connection between mother anddaughter is narrow (2 to 4 cm indiameter); it soon reaches its finaldiameter and does not grow with thesucker. The sucker insertion point does notmove when the mother plant Previous Next End Growth of the corm forces the suckers out of vertical alignment with the plant.
The rise of the corms of the suckers then results in a long conical connection between the mother and the sucker. Sucker growth is slowed during this period. In addition tobeing out of the vertical, suckers often also have a rosettedappearance and are squat (large base diameter in relation tothe height) and dark green in colour. The presence of these first suckers partially or completely inhibits the growth of other suckers higher on the mother plant. A second series of suckers (0 to 3) then grows after this inhibition. Previous Next End The connection with the mother plant is broad and matches thesize of the sucker.
They grow parallel to the mother plant. When they are present,these suckers grow normally. They are reddish and somewhat more narrow and elongatedthan the other suckers visible. 'Half-sister' suckers of mediocre agronomic value are also seen on the connection between the first series of suckers and the mother plant, and also granddaughters that grow from the first suckers. Previous Next End These types ofthe sucker with a machete and driving in suckers grow into the water suckers subsequently observed. Thus, if no desuckering is carried out, a large number of suckers (as many as fifteen) are visible at the surface at flowering. Previous Next End FIRST CYCLE DESUCKERING
The desuckering technique used should result in: 1. Good second cycle homogeneity and productivity, 2. A homogeneous layout of the mother and selected daughter in the field. 3. The removal of rosetted suckers or water suckers. The technique consists of performing the work in two stages at a two-month interval. The doubtful suckers (first series) are first removed and the follower is then chosen from the second series. Previous Next End ELIMINATION OF FIRST SERIES SUCKERS
This must be performed when the suckers have grownsatisfactorily (two to five suckers visible at the surface). Theirheight may vary from 20 cm to 70 cm. At this stage, the only suckers in the field are the first series anda few second series suckers that are 'peepers' or little developed. The objective is to remove the first series of suckers to enhancethe growth of the second series. In practice, a maximum of fivesuckers are removed and second series suckers are leftthelatter then grow rapidly and simultaneously. Previous Next End Desuckering of these deep suckers is perfomed using a 'star gouge', atool with three wings welded in a star shape on a point guiding shaft. This is used to destroy the meristem (top of the bulb from where theleaves grow). These very deep suckers can thus be removed without any risk ofdamage to the mother plant (and with little regrowth). The technique consists of cutting the sucker with a machete and drivingin the star gouge at an angle of about 30 to the mother plant. The point of the to1 makes it possible to follow the leaf sheaths to themeristem. The tool is removed with a turning motion to ensure that the meristem isdestroyed. Previous Next End CHOICE OF FOLLOWER FROM THE SECOND SERIES
Four to six weeks after the first operation, the second seriessuckers are red andmarkedly elongated, displaying stronggrowth. Desuckering can be perfomed when they are 30 cm tall, thuspreventing competition between daughters. The operation is very easy as these suckers are set in themother com at a shallow depth and have hardly any roots. Previous Next End 2. Directed towards the wind, 3. In the alignment of a double row.
When the suckers are similar in size (the usual case), the follower ischosen simply by its position in the field. It may be: 1. Directed up hill, 2. Directed towards the wind, 3. In the alignment of a double row. When the suckers are of mixed size, the largest and best-placed ischosen. In the case of a plantation of tissue culture plants displaying normalfirst cycle growth, al1 these operations can be completed one monthbefore the appearance of the first flowers in the field. Gains in homogeneityand yield are the most spectacular underthese conditions. Previous Next End The removal of suckers with shallow coms is performed 6 t h amachete or pincers. The tool is driven slantwise into the soi1 onthe mother plant side as far as the corm. Desuckering is by complete severing of the com or by partialsevering, after which the sucker is pulled out. Once the first cycle desuckering has been completed, bananaplantations grown from tissue culture plants should be treated likeconventional planting material as far as desuckering isconcerned. Previous Next End MATTOCKING After the harvest of bunch, the plant stem should be cut in stagesat least after 30 to 45 days to facilitate mobilization of the nutrientsfrom the mother to the developing ratoon plant. The pseudostem should cut leaving a stump of about 0.6 m ht. When the banana bunch is picked and the old trunk cut down aportion of this trunk is often allowed to remain on the root,presumably to support the follower. Previous Next End It also forms a breeding place for borer.
Actually this old head continues to use up nutrient required by thefollower. It also forms a breeding place for borer. The proper treatment is to remove the entire old tree at the root and tochop it up so that the pieces may dry quickly and thus kill any borerswithin andto a radius of 4 feet from the new sucker. This will also improve the grade of the succeeding crop of ratoonbananas and the ratoons will have a better hold on the ground and bemore resistant to drought and hurricane. The cost should not exceed a penny a root. Previous