Bananas
Bananas
Bananas, fruit of the genus Musa of the family Musaceae, are one of the most important fruit crops in the world. The banana is grown in the tropics, and though it is most widely consumed in those regions, it is valued worldwide for its flavor, nutritional value, and availability throughout the year. Bananas grow best in full sun, as well as soil that is loamy, compost-rich, and well-drained.
Sigatoka
Sigatoka poses one of the greatest threats to banana production and success. Black Sigatoka, also known as black leaf streak, can cause significant foliage loss and up to 50% loss of yield. As pesticides have been used to control this fungal disease, resistance to systemic chemistries has become prevalent. Best practices now incorporate the use of more contact based, residual fungicides such as chlorothalonil. The addition of Nu-Film-17® allows for a more consistent deposition and retention on the leaf surface of the fungicide, which is critical for efficacy.
Nu-Film® 17
Nu-Film® 17 is a superior deposition, sticker, and extender adjuvant with non-ionic properties based on proprietary Miller technology containing Pinolene.
Finger Development
Finger development is a key milestone in the overall crop production cycle. For a robust harvest to occur, healthy finger development must take place. During this stage of development, a number of key micronutrients are critical, but especially boron and zinc. When these nutrients are not available or are deficient in the soil, this can lead to a reduced or stunted finger development. Boro Zinc™ provides a mix of micronutrients to help address the key needs during development.
Miller Boro Zinc™
Miller Boro Zinc™ 10-10 is a highly soluble specialty fertilizer.
Hand Development
Hand development in bananas is a key milestone in the formation of a healthy and productive banana crop. Hand development is the process by which the first female flowers of the banana plant develop parthenocarpically (without pollination/fertilization) into clusters of fruit, called hands. This process can potentially be improved with the addition of Cytokin® plant growth regulator. The nature-based plant growth regulator effects present with an application of Cytokin® helps to maximize conditions necessary for fruit set and early fruit development. This product contains the plant growth hormones responsible for cell division, cell enlargement and various other plant growth functions.
Cytokin®
Cytokin® is a plant- based EPA registered plant growth regulator designed to increase crop production efficiency.
Systemic Pesticide Applications
Plant health can be negatively impacted by pests in the environment in several different ways. Each of these potential pests also require their own unique solution for control. Exit® has been purposefully formulated to be combined with pesticides that depend upon rapid uptake and translocation of the active ingredient. Pesticides such as those with systemic or translaminar activity as well as those with hormonal or plant growth regulator effects are particularly well suited for tank mixing with Exit®. The unique ability to increase the speed at which translocation occurs is what defines Exit®.
Exit®
Exit® is an activator-adjuvant comprising a blend of premium-quality esterified seed oil with a proprietary surfactant and humectant system.
General Nutrition Requirements
Uniform fruit ripening, color development, and Brix accumulation can be affected by numerous factors such as photosynthesis, leaf age, nutrient deficiencies, and disease pressure. As plants begin to senesce, or age, closer to harvest, photosynthesis and metabolism may be reduced. This can lead to uneven ripening and poor sugar development. Sugar Express® applications provide key nutrients which help aid the normal photosynthetic processes which are the driver for Brix development. The accumulation of Brix earlier may improve ripening and color which is necessary for uniform quality.
Sugar Express®
Sugar Express® 4-10-40 is a highly refined fertilizer with the appropriate ratio of phosphorus and potassium designed to be used close to harvest.