Growth Parameters of Yield of Plantain (Musa cv. AAB)

Abstract

The performance of the crop plant and the ‘ratoon’ plant (lateral shoot succeeding the harvested main shoot) of 65 medium-sized False Horn plantains (Musa cv. AAB) was studied by measuring vegetative and inflorescence (bunch) parameters. From significant regressions between different parameters it appears that taller pseudostems produce leaves at a faster rate, flower earlier and produce heavier infructescences which need more time to mature. A high yield is determined by vigorous initial growth of the planted sucker (lateral root). Before flowering, there is no sink competition between ratoon and main pseudostem growth, and fast-growing main pseudostems are accompanied by fast-growing ratoons. After flowering, competition occurs between the fructifying inflorescence, a preferential sink and the ratoon. The results indicate that plantain should not be considered as an annual crop.