The effect of monthly planting on yield, yield patterns and yield decline of plantains ( Musa AAB)

Abstract

This study investigated the effect of monthly planting throughout the year on the yield, yield patterns, wind damage and yield decline of plantains in the tropical rainforest belt for 3 consecutive harvest cycles. Yield of plant-crop plantains increased from February to October plantings, though with significant variations. Plantains established between January and May matured twice during the dry season in a 3-year harvest cycle, resulting in 25–35% wind damage and over 25% yield decline. However, except for the lower 80% for the September–November survival count, plantains established between July and December experienced minimum (10–15%) wind damage, produced significantly ( P = 0.05) higher and sustained yield (t ha −1), and matured in unfavourable weather only once in every 3-crop harvest cycle. Optimum 3-crop total plantain yields were obtained when the suckers were planted in August–December. The practical implications on the conventional planting season among growers are discussed.