Young Banana Research Articles

Antioxidant Activity of DPPH Method on Stone Banana Flour with Blanching Drying and Temperature Treatment

Stone banana is a type of banana that has seeds in the fruit. Ares is a young banana stem. Banana stems called ares, located on the inside of banana stems. The objective of this research was to identify the antioxidant capabilities of stone banana fields as they are dried and heated with a UV-Vis spectrophotometer. The results showed that stone banana ares flour has very weak antioxidant activity. It's characterized by an IC50 value of over 500 ppm, which can be interpreted as having a low activity or potential as an antioxidant. The solar drying method and blanching temperature of 85 °C obtained the smallest IC50 average value of 42,429.90 ppm with a very weak category

Nutritional Values and Antioxidant Activity of Wild and Cultivated Banana Pseudostems from Manipur, North Eastern India

Young and fresh banana pseudostems of (Musa sp.) locally known as “Laphu” (Manipuri) are sold in the local markets and consumed as a common vegetable in Manipur. Despite high economic value and consumption, the nutritional values of banana pseudostems have not been studied. The present study evaluated the nutritional values and antioxidant activity of four highly consumed banana pseudostems [MN13 (Meitei Hei), MN14 (Maring Hei), MN15 (Ningol Hei) and MN20 (Ching Laphu)] found in different parts of Manipur. Two of the cultivated banana pseudostems (MN13 and MN15) were identified as Musa acuminata, MN14 as Musa hybrid cultivar and MN20 as Musa balbisiana of the family Musaceae. The total sugar (0.99 %), reducing sugar (0.57 %), starch (39.22%) and amino acid (23.94 μg/mg) contents were recorded highest in MN14. Non-reducing sugar (0.57 %), crude protein (12.84 %), ash content (30.63%), total phenolic content (23.31 ug GAE/mg) and flavonoid (15μg RE/mg) were found highest in MN20. Among minerals, the highest values of N content was recorded in MN20 (2.05%), P in MN13 (400.78 mg/100g), K in MN14 (42.88 mg/100g) and Na (1.14 mg/100g) in MN15. The antioxidant properties of the pseudostems were found to be very low in all samples as compared to cow pea (31.56%), ascorbic acid (65.86%) and gallic acid (69.2%). The present study reveals that the two banana pseudostems, MN14 (Musa hybrid cultivar) and MN20 (Musa balbisiana) were found to possess the highest nutritional contents based on mineral and dietary values. Further, studies may lead to the development of a suitable management strategy for conservation and sustainable utilization of MN20 as an important vegetable in the future.

Optimasi Proses Pembuatan Tepung Pisang Termodifikasi terhadap Kadar Pati Resisten, Nilai Indeks Glikemik, dan Total Kalori Snack Bar

Experimental research in the laboratory was carried out to obtain young kepok banana flour with high resistant starch which was then processed into snack bar products. Young kepok bananas obtained from Sumbawa Regency were treated with different retrogradation treatments, namely: P1 (1 time retrogradation process); P2 (2 times retrogradation process); P3 (3 times retrogradation process); and P4 (4 times the retrogradation process). The research data were analyzed using ANOVA, and each treatment that was significantly different was followed by Duncan's further test at the 5% level of confidence. Both of these analytical methods were processed using SPSS 25 software. The results showed that the retrogradation treatment (autoclaving-cooling) which was carried out repeatedly had a significant effect on increasing the resistant starch content produced in modified banana flour, with a value obtained in treatment P1 = 3.000% , treatment P2 = 4.567%, treatment P3 = 7.333%, and P4 = 11.333%. The P4 treatment was then chosen as a raw material for making snack bars because it has the highest resistant starch content. Testing the value of the glycemic index and total snack bar calories are then calculated. The glycemic index was analyzed through the ratio of area under the curve (area under curve) of food glucose response by measuring fasting blood glucose 0, and once every 30 minutes, namely 30, 60, 90, and 120 minutes after consumption of the test food (modified banana flour snack bar). ) and standard food (glucose water). The results of the Area Under Curve (AUC) for banana flour snack bars were 7.619 and the AUC for glucose was 11.841. The results of the glycemic index value of the modified banana flour snack bar were 42.2. Modified banana flour snack bar in 50 g contains a total of 89.3 Kcal calories.

CHARACTERISTIC OF POLY LACTID ACID (PLA)/ COIR WITH ADDITION OF CHITOSAN VARIATIONS FOR REVIEWING PLASTIC MATERIALS

Poly lactic acid or poly lactide (PLA) is a natural polymer that is biodegradable, thermoplastic and is an aliphatic polyester made from renewable materials such as young kepok banana starch. Poly lactic acid with the chemical formula CH3CH(OH)COOH is a biodegradable polymer obtained from the combination of lactic acid monomers. Therefore, in this study the PLA polymer as a matrix was added with fillers in the form of Coir and Chitosan. Coir is a coconut fiber that has been widely used by researchers for decades. Chitosan has been widely used as an important and promising biopolymer material in tissue engineering because of its anti-microbial activity, biodegradability, biocompatibility, and non-toxicity. The characteristics resulting from the combination of these three materials resulted in 4 samples, namely the fixed variable PLA with variations of Coir and Chitosan. Sample 1 Coir/Chitosan ( 90:10 (%)) produces a tensile strength value of 80 MPa. Sample 2 Coir/Chitosan (80:20 (%)) yielded a tensile strength of 55 MPa. Samples of 3 Coir/Chitosan (70:80 (%)) yielded a tensile strength of 48 MPa. Samples of 4 Coir/Chitosan (60:40 (%)) produced a tensile strength of 30 MPa. The FTIR test on sample 1 resulted in a new compound found in the PLA/Coir/Chitosan composite, namely the compound N=C=O which is an isocyanate group at the peak of the 2279.86 cm-1 group. While the SEM test which shows the physical structure of the sample composition of PLA with the addition of Coir/Chitosan (90:10%) is the sample with the best morphology.

CO2, CH4 and N2O emissions after fertilizer application in banana plantations located in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest

AbstractBananas are important tropical fruits conventionally cultivated under intensive nitrogen fertilization. A current challenge is to understand the environmental impacts of this crop across the different cultivation stages considering greenhouse gas emissions. Therefore, the present study evaluated whether inorganic fertilization with ammonium sulphate and urea during different planting stages can change soil CO2, CH4 and N2O emissions. The experiment was conducted in 2018 in an Atlantic Forest region of São Paulo State, Brazil. We used the chamber‐based methodology for gas sampling in young and established banana plantations and in a forest remnant fragment. Seasonal differences in temperature and rainfall during the sampling period resulted in a larger WFPS during the wet season. The CO2 emissions followed the rainfall variations. CH4 fluxes were mainly resulted of methanotrophy reactions. The maximum and minimum N2O fluxes were 7.38 and −0.93 mg m2 day−1, peaking after nitrogen fertilization. We found that the accumulated N2O fluxes from soil were greater for the two banana plantations than those observed in the forest remnant in dry and wet seasons. The highest N2O peaks were observed in the young banana plantation. CH4 uptake was 92 and 61% less in young and established banana plantations than in the forest remnant, while N2O emissions were 95 and 74% greater in young and established banana plantations than in the forest remnant. Considering the negative effect of N2O emissions, reduced rates of nitrogen application and the adoption of conservation practices should be considered in young banana plantations.

Growth and Nitrogen Accumulation Assessment of Banana (Musa acumuminata) After Exposure to Hydroquinone in a Charcoal-Ultisol Mix

The present study investigates plant growth and nitrogen accumulation assessment of young banana plant (Musa acuminata) after exposure to hydroquinone (a mutagen) in a charcoal-ultisol mix. Charcoal was obtained from the wood of Pentaclethra macrophylla aerobically, and was crushed into a smooth powdered form. This was mixed with an ultisol obtained from the University of Benin Botanic garden. Different levels of the soil-charcoal mix were prepared as follows; 100% charcoal, 75% charcoal-25% soil, 50% charcoal-50% soil, 25% charcoal- 75% soil, and 100% sand. The charcoal-ultisol mix was then amended with 5ppm hydroquinone one week before propagating young banana suckers. Results showed that sprouting began fifteen days after propagation. There were also different changes in plant height in the various soil treatments; the lowest was reported in the 75-25 charcoal ultisol mix (10.50cm), compared to 45.83cm in plants sown in 100% charcoals. Foliar yield was lowest in the 75-25 charcoal-ultisol mix (8.55 grams per plant), compared to 29.15 grams per plant in the 100% charcoal. The below ground morphological characteristics test plant revealed that there were significant differences between the growth parameters. Nitrate nitrogen, Ammonia Nitrogen and total nitrogen were significantly accumulated on the leaves of plant. However, higher nitrogen accumulation in the leaves was found in treatment with high charcoal percentage.

Herbal Lactagogum And Breastfeeding Mother's Breast Milk Production: A Sistematic Review

Background: Exclusive breastfeeding has a major contribution to the growth and development of toddlers, especially at 1,000 HPK. The coverage of exclusive breastfeeding in 2017 was still low at 35.7% compared to the WHO and the Ministry of Health's 2019 target which is 50%. One of the efforts to increase the coverage of exclusive breastfeeding is increase the quantity and quality of breast milk production, so as to increase the mother's motivation to give exclusive breastfeeding. Efforts to increase by using drugs / herbs are known as laktagogums. Lactagogum drugs are rarely known because they are relatively expensive. Therefore, the use of alternative lactogogum herbs derived from plants that can be consumed by breastfeeding mothers is very necessary. Objective: The purpose of this study was to analyze the herbal lactagogum on breast milk production. Methods: Literature review using the keywords laktagogum and herbs for breast milk production. Articles retrieved from Google Scholar, Science Direct, and Pub Med in the period 2009 to February 2019. In addition, relevant text books and guidelines were used to add further information or additional reports that were not identified in the electronic search. Results: Based on several experimental studies, it was shown that torbangun leaves, young papayas, moringa leaves, katuk leaves and banana buds contain chemical compounds that can stimulate the synthesis of prolactin and oxytocin to increase the production and secretion of breast milk. Conclusion: Lactagogum torbangun leaves, young papaya fruit, moringa leaves, katuk leaves and banana buds have a positive effect on increasing breast milk production. Keywords: herbs, lactagogum, breast milk production

Efektivitas Air Kelapa Muda Hijau Dengan Buah Pisang Terhadap Perubahan Tekanan Darah Pada Lansia Di Pemenang Barat

The elderly population in the west pemenang village is 473 elderly, and elderly with hypertension in west Pemenang that reaches up to 46 elderly. Based on the preliminary interview with the elderly with hypertension in west pemenang, most of them only had therapy with medical medicine and not woth alternative therapy sch as green young coconut water and banana fruit. They don’t know the benefit of using coconut water and banana fruit for hypertension treatment. This research is aimed at determining the effectiveness of green young coconut and banana fruit on the change of blood pressure of elderly in west pemenang. This reasearch is quasy-experimental study with on group pre test and post test design. The populations were all 46 elderly with hypertension living in west pemenang. The samples were 30 elderly selected through purposive sampling. The data were collected through the instruments of observation sheet and documentation. The research showed that young coconut water affected the change of blood pressure of elderly. In the group of banana fruit therapy, blood pressure of elderly also had the change. Both groups together had changes in blood pressure. Banana fruit therapy is more effective comparing to other. It is inferred that both types of therapy are effective in decreasing blood pressure of elderly.

Efektivitas Air Kelapa Muda Hijau Dengan Buah Pisang Terhadap Perubahan Tekanan Darah Pada Lansia Di Pemenang Barat

The elderly population in the west pemenang village is 473 elderly, and elderly with hypertension in west Pemenang that reaches up to 46 elderly. Based on the preliminary interview with the elderly with hypertension in west pemenang, most of them only had therapy with medical medicine and not woth alternative therapy sch as green young coconut water and banana fruit. They don’t know the benefit of using coconut water and banana fruit for hypertension treatment. This research is aimed at determining the effectiveness of green young coconut and banana fruit on the change of blood pressure of elderly in west pemenang. This reasearch is quasy-experimental study with on group pre test and post test design. The populations were all 46 elderly with hypertension living in west pemenang. The samples were 30 elderly selected through purposive sampling. The data were collected through the instruments of observation sheet and documentation. The research showed that young coconut water affected the change of blood pressure of elderly. In the group of banana fruit therapy, blood pressure of elderly also had the change. Both groups together had changes in blood pressure. Banana fruit therapy is more effective comparing to other. It is inferred that both types of therapy are effective in decreasing blood pressure of elderly.

Formulation of Baby Porridge Flour Using Nagara Tuber and Kalakai (Stenochlaena palustris) as Iron Fortifying Agent with Natural Flavor of Ambon Banana

Kalakai (Stenochlaena palustris) is a fern that lives wildly in nature. High iron content in the diet underlies the use of kalakai plants as a natural iron fortifying food for growing children. The purpose of this study was to determine the best formulation of baby porridge flour meeting the Indonesian National Standard (SNI). Kalakai was selected as a Fe fortifying material due to its high content of Fe. Three formulations (A, B, and C) were produced from three different flours (cassava nagara, kalakai, and young banana), and the formulated samples were tested. Formula A was 55 (cassava) : 5 (kalakai) : 40 (banana); formula B was 57:3:40; and formula C was 59:1:40. Those three formulations were compared with a control which was made from cassava nagara flour and banana flour with ratio of 60% and 40% (without kalakai). The results showed that the best formula was the A formulation, with a ratio content of 55:5:40. This formula had 0.90 g/ml of kamba density, 2.04 of water absorption index, 6.62% of moisture content, 3.02% of ash content, 0.67% of fat content, 2.41% of crude protein, and 4.48 mg/100g of Fe level.

Effects of flower thrips (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) on nutritional quality of banana (Zingiberales: Musaceae) buds

The abundance of banana flower thrips (Thrips hawaiiensis Morgan) in a banana (Musa acuminata Colla “Williams” cultivar) plantation was investigated using yellow sticky traps (29.70 cm × 21.00 cm) in 2015. Banana flower thrips occurred throughout the year with monthly variation, and the maximum occurrence was observed in October and November during the bud burst (73.80 ± 6.32 adults/trap) and young fruit (70.06 ± 5.69 adults/trap) periods. The damage rates were as follows: interior flowers >3rd-layer flowers > 2nd-layer flowers > 1st-layer flowers > young fruits. This result indicates that thrips migrated to lower bracts, young fruits, and other flower buds as bracts gradually opened. Results also showed that the reducing sugar, vitamin C, protein and ash contents in thrips-damaged flowers were all significantly lower than those in undamaged flowers, while there was no significant difference between damaged and undamaged young banana fruit. Our results indicated that the abundances of banana flower thrips were closely associated with the growing stage of banana. Thrips mainly infested flower buds and caused a reduction in nutrients for the host plant, especially the reducing sugar and vitamin C contents, which reduced the nutritional quality of banana fruits and the quality of flower bud by-products of banana.

The tender core of young banana pseudostem could be nutritionally better than the banana fruit

Bananas, including plantains, are valued for their nutritious and versatile fruits. Good cultural practices require the removal of extra young suckers to ensure good quality fruit and yield. These unwanted suckers are either discarded as waste or used in making compost. In many Asian countries, tender cores of the pseudostems are consumed as a vegetable and claimed to possess many medicinal properties. Consumption of the tender cores in various forms may benefit those on a weight-loss program, maintain body fluid balance, help detoxify the body and alleviate kidney problems presumably due to their high nutritional contents and antioxidant activities. However, scientific publications on the nutritional contents in young banana pseudostem are limited. This study aimed to quantify the nutritional contents in the pseudostems of six banana cultivars commonly grown in Sarawak, Malaysia. Three young suckers for each cultivar were randomly sampled from a farm at Samarahan Division, Sarawak. The tender and edible cores of the pseudostems were sliced into small pieces, oven-dried at 70°C to a constant weight and ground. Ground samples for each cultivar were mixed to obtain a composite sample prior to determination of their proximate nutritional contents. Based on the average value obtained from the six banana cultivars, the tender cores may avail about 50% carbohydrate, 19% crude fibre, 13% protein, 8.0% potassium, 0.4% phosphorus, 0.4% magnesium, 0.4% calcium, 335 ppm iron, 200 ppm manganese and 46 ppm zinc for every 100 g edible portion. The nutritional values obtained in this study were generally higher than those reported for banana fruits. These findings could lead to future studies on sustainable utilisation of banana pseudostems in food, health and pharmaceutical industries.

PM 7/21 (2) Ralstonia solanacearum, R. pseudosolanacearum and R. syzygii (Ralstonia solanacearum species complex)

Specific scopeThis Standard describes a diagnostic protocol for Ralstonia solanacearum, Ralstonia pseudosolanacearum and Ralstonia syzygii, i.e. phylotype/sequevar strain in the Ralstonia solanacearum Species Complex (RSSC).It should be used in conjunction with PM 7/76 Use of EPPO diagnostic protocols.Specific approval and amendmentApproved in 2003‐09. First revised in 2018‐02.

Energy balance and partitioning and vertical profiles of turbulence characteristics during initial growth of a banana plantation in a screenhouse

This study focused on boundary layer characteristics and evapotranspiration in a cultivated screenhouse. The temporal course of latent and sensible heat fluxes, as well as vertical profiles of turbulence characteristics, below and above the screen were determined as the crop developed. The study was in a young banana plantation screenhouse, 5.5 m high, from June 17 (DOY 169) to August 8, 2016 (221), i.e. 53 days. Two masts measured simultaneously. A manually operated lifting tower mast near the eastern down-wind edge of the screenhouse operated either continuously at a fixed height or measured vertical profiles between 2.5 and 10.2 m height during the same day. The second ‘reference’ mast was 20 m north of the tower. Continuous measurements included latent and sensible heat fluxes above the plants and below the screen. During the experiment plant height increased from 1.7 to 4.1 m, LAI increased from 0.3 to 1.6 and the Bowen ratio, defined as the ratio between sensible and latent heat fluxes measured below the screen, decreased from 1.9 to 0.3. Energy balance closure, expressed as the slope of the relationship between half-hourly consumed and available energy for this period was 76% (R2 = 0.92); however, after summing up the fluxes over the whole period, the closure increased to 86%. Energy balance closure decreased with plant growth, presumably due to the more stable boundary layer associated with larger plants. During plant growth, ET per unit ground area increased linearly with LAI, but when calculated per unit leaf area it decreased, presumably due to increased mutual shading of leaves. Friction velocity below the screen was about 50% of that above the screen, illustrating the effect of the screen in absorbing momentum flux. Spectral energy slopes above the screen were close to the theoretical value typical of the inertial sub-range of steady state boundary layers, −5/3. Below the screen and within the canopy deviations from this theoretical value increased and the slope of spectra decay was higher than −5/3, indicating a higher rate of transfer of turbulent kinetic energy across scales. Integral length scale of turbulent vortices within and just above the canopy scaled with plant dimensions and between-plant distances, respectively; above the screen the integral length scale increased with height, as expected for fully developed turbulent flows over flat surfaces.

Analisa Pengaruh Variasi Komposisi Bahan Limbah dari Serat Kelapa Muda, Batang Pisang dan Kertas Bekas terhadap Kekuatan Bending Sebagai Papan Komposit

<p>The composite is a combination of two or more materials to produce a new material with unique properties compared to the nature of the base material prior to mixing and surface bonding occurs between each constituent material. The purpose of this research is to know the influence of waste material composition from plant fiber, that is young coconut fiber, banana stem, and calendar waste paper to bending strength on composite board by using Epoxy resin wood type. The process of printing the composite board is done in the Laboratory of Integrated Mechanical Engineering University Proklamasi 45 Yogyakarta. The three raw materials that have been crushed and dried, mixed with the breaking time of each 5" and 10" with their respective ingredients composition, namely Young Coconut Fiber: Banana Stem Fiber: Calendar Waste Paper =25:25:50; 25:50:25; 50:25:25 (%). Each treatment was repeated 3 times. Observation was done by calculating raw material composition and time of destruction process against bending strength of composite board which resulted very significant effect on water content, fracture, and flexibility of composite board. Bending strength testing is performed using a robust Universal Testing Machine (UTM). The result of this research produced the most optimum material composition of bending strength into composite board, ie composition III with the duration of destruction for 5", that is the average MoE value of 17.069,76 kg/cm² and the average value of MoR is 83,78 kg/cm². From this research is expected to get new engineering technique from agriculture waste become composite board with economic value.</p>

Chrysodeixis chalcites nucleopolyhedrovirus (ChchNPV): Natural occurrence and efficacy as a biological insecticide on young banana plants in greenhouse and open-field conditions on the Canary Islands.

Chrysodeixis chalcites, an important pest of banana crops on the Canary Islands, is usually controlled by chemical insecticides. The present study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of the most prevalent isolate of the Chrysodeixis chalcites nucleopolyhedrovirus (ChchNPV, Baculoviridae) as a biological insecticide. Overall the prevalence of ChchNPV infection in C. chalcites populations was 2.3% (103 infected larvae out of 4,438 sampled), but varied from 0–4.8% on Tenerife and was usually low (0–2%) on the other islands. On Tenerife, infected larvae were present at 11 out of 17 plantations sampled. The prevalence of infection in larvae on bananas grown under greenhouse structures was significantly higher (3%) than in open-field sites (1.4%). The ChchNPV-TF1 isolate was the most abundant and widespread of four genetic variants of the virus. Application of 1.0x109 viral occlusion bodies (OBs)/l of ChchNPV-TF1 significantly reduced C. chalcites foliar damage in young banana plants as did commonly used pesticides, both in greenhouse and open-field sites. The insecticidal efficacy of ChchNPV-TF1 was similar to that of indoxacarb and a Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt)-based insecticide in one year of trials and similar to Bt in the following year of trails in greenhouse and field crops. However, larvae collected at different time intervals following virus treatments and reared in the laboratory experienced 2–7 fold more mortality than insects from conventional insecticide treatments. This suggests that the acquisition of lethal dose occurred over an extended period (up to 7 days) compared to a brief peak in larvae on plants treated with conventional insecticides. These results should prove useful for the registration of a ChchNPV-based insecticide for integrated management of this pest in banana crops on the Canary Islands.

UNDISAN TOURISM VILLAGE IN BANGLI EAST OF BALI, IS A GREEN TOURISM WHERE THE TOURISTS CAN COOK A BALINESE CULINAIR TO MAINTAIN SUSTAINABLE TOURISM

Nowadays the Balinese culinair is getting famous in all over Bali which are consumed by Balinese TouristsBalinese food is available in local restaurant and international restaurant too in Bali.Miss Rebecca Gilling who found the Denpasar Moon song, about four years ago was loving Jukut Ares (vegetable, is made from young banana tree).Balinese food are available in big event such as in seminar, in wedding ceremony, birthday party and in international event.Nowadays many tourists want to taste a different food to prevent boaring but want to experiencing a unique taste of Balinese cuisines.Mr. Patrice, an owner of a travel agent in French has a smart idea to bring his tourist to visit the Undisan Tourism Village, in Bangli, in east part of Bali, to enjoy the beautiful panorama of Bali, while learning the local culture of Bali. Here in Undisan Tourism Village, the tourist can practice cooking Balinese traditional food, one among them is Sate Lilit.This activity is the best way and the best idea to apply The Green Tourism to maintain the sustainable tourism, especially in Bali.

Banana leaf and glucose mineralization and soil organic matter in microhabitats of banana plantations under long-term pesticide use.

Soil organic matter (SOM) and microbial activity are key components of soil quality and sustainability. In the humid tropics of Costa Rica 3 pesticide regimes were studied-fungicide (low input); fungicide and herbicide (medium input); and fungicide, herbicide, and nematicide (high input)-under continuous banana cultivation for 5 yr (young) or 20 yr (old) in 3 microhabitats-nematicide ring around plants, litter pile of harvested banana, and bare area between litter pile and nematicide ring. Soil samples were incubated sequentially in the laboratory: unamended, amended with glucose, and amended with ground banana leaves. Soil organic matter varied with microhabitat, being greatest in the litter pile, where microbes had the greatest basal respiration with ground banana leaf, whereas microbes in the nematicide ring had the greatest respiration with glucose. These results suggest that soil microbes adapt to specific microhabitats. Young banana plantations had similar SOM compared with old plantations, but the former had greater basal microbial respiration in unamended and in glucose-amended soil and greater first-order mineralization rates in glucose-amended soil, thus indicating soil biological quality decline over time. High pesticide input did not decrease microbial activity or mineralization rate in surface soil. In conclusion, microbial activity in tropical volcanic soil is highly adaptable to organic and inorganic inputs.

Effect of plant development on turbulent fluxes of a screenhouse banana plantation

This study focuses on CO2 and water vapor flux measurements, water use efficiency estimates and evapotranspiration modeling during the course of growth of a young banana crop in a screenhouse in northern Israel. An eddy covariance system was deployed at the center of the screenhouse during two growth periods of the banana crop: small and large plants. Results show that daily whole canopy evapotranspiration increased during the measurement period from 2.2 mm day−1 for the smaller plants to 3.4 mm day−1 for the larger plants. The increase in net daily CO2 consumption doubled during the same period, from about 11 to 21.5 g m−2 day−1 per unit ground area. Water vapor and CO2 fluxes per unit leaf area were independent of plant size and averaged with 51 and 0.29 g m−2 day−1, respectively. Consequently, water use efficiency, defined as the ratio between net vertical fluxes of CO2 and water vapor, was nearly constant during growth of the plants. Evapotranspiration models provided more accurate predictions for larger than for smaller plants. This was due to inadequate treatment of the partial cover of young plants, which could be overcome by the use of a crop coefficient. A modified Penman–Monteith evapotranspiration model adapted to the screenhouse environment, applied here for the first time to a banana screenhouse, was in better agreement with the measurements than an open canopy model.

Toxicidad de herbicidas promisorios para el control Dieffenbachia oerstedii en hijos de banano.

Toxicity of banana suckers by promisory herbicides for the control of Dieffenbachia oerstedii. Potential toxicity on banana sword suckers of next treatments was evaluatedbetween August and December of 2006: T1) absolute check, T2) Carfentrazone + surfactant; T3) Glyphosate +surfactant; T4) Glyphosate + carfentrazone + surfactant;T5) Glyphosate + ammonium sulphate + surfactatant; T6) metsulfuron metyl + carfentrazone + surfactant. A complete randomized design was used, with 20 replications for each treatment, for a total of 120 bananas suckers. The treatment with Metsulfuron methyl + carfentrazone + surfactantaffected growth of some suckers and caused death of a few of them. Glyphosate + carfentrazone + surfactant did not differ from the absolute check. The potential of thetreatment with Glyphosate + carfentrazone for Dieffenbachia oerstedii control in commercial fields of banana plantationsis confirmed, because it provides acceptable wweed control and no damage of young banana suckers.