Vol. 10, Issue 5 (2021)

Author(s):
V Yugandhar, V Nagarjuna, G Sandeep Naik, Suneetha Ranjula and Srividhya Rani N

Abstract:
To assess the effect of bunch management for yield and quality production in banana (Musa AAA, cv. Grand Naine) over control of plants with out spraying of sulphate of photosh and having uncovered bunches. The On Farm Trail was conducted at Sunkulagari Palle, Settivaripalle and Musalnayana Palle villages of Y.S.R kadapa district, Andhra Pradesh, India, during the year 2017-2019. The experiment was conducted on farmers’ field comprising 6 plots at different location. Each plot consisted of 210 numbers of plants. The bunches of the plants spraying with sulphate of photosh @ 5g/l and cover with nonwoven polypropylene skirt bag were compared against the normal farmers’ practice of without spraying of sulphate of photosh and covering of the bunches. In this study, fruits under bunch management showed significantly lower scarring beetle infestation (1.52%) as compared to fruits of uncovered bunches (44.32%). Significant increase in fruit weight and bunch weight were recorded to the tune of 10.85% and 9.5% respectively, whereas shooting-harvest interval was reduced by 9 days under cover as compared to control. Banana fruits grown under cover had minimal bruises (2-5%) and were significantly cleaner from dust, spider web, and bird drops at harvest over control (50%). It may be concluded that under bunch management get more yield and banana fruits more attractive to the consumers and this phenomenon led the farmers to avail higher market price as well as significantly higher net profit over control.