Plant growth and yield in the Cavendish banana (Musa cavendishii Lamb.) as affected by size and type of planting material

Abstract

The effect of size and type of planting material on plant growth and yield in the Cavendish banana has been investigated at the Maroochy Experiment Station using "bits" ranging from 1 lb to 6 lb in weight and "suckers" ranging from 10 in. to 20 in. in maximum girth. From a commercial point of view, bits weighing 2-4 lb appear to be the best type of planting material. Where these are not available, "sword" suckers with a corm girth of 12 in. are preferable to either larger or smaller sizes.