Page 35 - Agriculture Form Two

Agriculture for Secondary Schools

Exercise 2.3

1. What criteria would you use to recommend on a suitable irrigation system in
the banana field.

2. How do mulches and organic matters facilitate water management in the
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banana field? Give three points.

3. Explain how can you manage water logging in the banana field?

4. With reasons, suggest a suitable water management method of your choice
for the banana field.

Nutrient management

Bananas require specific nutrients for optimal growth, fruit development, and high
yields. The essential nutrients for banana plants include nitrogen (N), phosphorus
(P), potassium (K), secondary nutrients like magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca) and
sulphur (S), as well as micronutrients such as zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), manganese
(Mn), copper (Cu), boron (B), and molybdenum (Mo).

Banana plants require a high concentration of macronutrients—nitrogen (N),
phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) due to their significant nutrient needs.
Fertilisers with higher NPK ratios (e.g., 20-20-20) are preferred for bananas,
though a balanced NPK ratio like 8-10-10 or 15-15-15 is recommended.
Alternatively, CAN fertilisers can be used.

Fertilisers should be applied twice a year during the rainy season. Apply it
per plant, placing the top-dressing fertiliser in a band 60 cm away from the
plant. Alternatively, use an NPK fertiliser rich in potassium at 250 g per plant.
Additionally, apply 2 to 4 times annually of 20 – 40 kg of well-decomposed
farmyard manure (FYM) per stem before the onset of rains. This manure should
be spread around the outer diameter of the canopy and incorporated into the soil
carefully to avoid damaging the roots (Figure 2.4). Generally, the amount of
fertiliser applied depends on factors such as environment, variety, age, and size
of banana crop, soil nutrient status and the amount of plant nutrients depleted per
year.

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Agriculture form 2.indd 27