Irrigation for banana plants

Bananas need a lot of water to grow well. Banana thrives in fertile, well-drained soils with high water holding capacity.

The soil moisture regime has a direct effect on both the amount and growth of banana roots. High water table reduce the banana yield, amount of roots and root growth. Banana roots utilize water only at low suction values in soils, demonstrating a poor ability to water absorption.

During the early vegetative period, an adequate water supply is essential in determining the potential for growth and fruiting. During the vegetative and flowering period, water deficits limit leaf growth, which in turn influences the number of flowers and fruits produced.

To irrigate is to water crops by bringing in water from pipes, canals, sprinklers, or other man-made means, rather than relying on rainfall alone. There are five main types of irrigation systems used by farmers.
*Surface Irrigation (a.k.a. as flood or furrow irrigation)
*Drip or Micro Irrigation
*Sprinkler Irrigation
*Center Pivot Irrigation
*Sub-irrigation

In certain area, micro-sprinklers are the preferred irrigation method. Micro Irrigation or drip irrigation is letting water drop onto plants through holes in pipes. It is considered one of the most efficient methods.

They provide a cooling effect and raise the ambient humidity inside the canopy. Drip irrigation focuses the water onto the plant itself. Other methods can waste water by letting it absorb into the ground where there are no plants.
Irrigation for banana plants

Water management for banana

Irrigation is the artificial application of water to the soil through various systems of tubes, pumps, and sprays. Irrigation is usually used in areas where rainfall is irregular or dry times or drought is expected.

Moisture-loving banana plants need plenty of water to produce bountiful bunches of fruit. Water management in a banana plantation aims at finding a balance between the soil’s water content and the needs of the plant.

The banana's large leaves require a large amount of water to remain healthy. Rainfall may be enough to water banana plants on wet days, but in warm, sunny weather, it will probably need to water them.

An irrigation system should be designed to apply water evenly over the entire planted area of the plantation. The total water requirement of banana plants is about 900-1200 mm for its entire life cycle and this can be met both through natural precipitation (rainfall) as well as supplementary irrigation.

In general, irrigation of the banana plantations every 3- 4 day during hot period and at 7-8 days interval during cool weather is recommended.

Water greatly affects the growth and development of plants, yield and fruit quality. Banana drip irrigation system is a method that has been used extensively on plants in many countries to provide water for plants instead of other irrigation systems. If there is not enough water, banana trees can grow stunted, yield and quality are reduced.
Water management for banana