Banana (Musa sp) is considered to be the fourth most important food crop in world after rice, wheat and milk products, based on gross value,. Banana is being cultivated in India from antiquity, It has a great socio – economic significance and is closely interwoven in our national heritage. Banana is a rich source of starch, mineral and vitamins and thus makes very good food for babies. Banana is also useful in managing patients with high blood pressure and heart diseases as it contains low amount of sodium, very little fat and no cholesterol,. It is also good for arthritis, kidney diseases, ulcer and gastro-enteritis. In India banana is grown widely in different agro-climatic conditions having different production systems and cultivars. India is credited to be major centre of diversity of

According to the Department of Agricultural Research and Education, ICAR, Government of India, in 1999-2000 diagnostic norms and interpretation techniques - DRIS and CND - were developed to improve diagnostic precision for Robusta and Ney Poovan bananas. Yield limiting factors and overall balance of nutrients were identified via Nutrient Imbalance Index (NII) which helps in rational fertilization. The optimum N, P and K in leaf of Robusta were 2.2-3.5, 0.09-1.17 and 2.66-5.11% respectively. In Ney Poovan, it was 1.42-3.56, 0.06-0.20 and 1.44-3.69% N, P and K respectively. A wide variability was observed in M. balbisiana and ornamental species found in the deep forests of Arunachal Pradesh. Four different balbisiana clones, 2 each of diploid (BB) and triploid (BBB) genomes were noted with unique characters. Two wild accessions were also collected from shilling. One unique wild accession which is non-suckering and seed forming, the only means of propagation, was collected from hills of Diphu in Assam. The seeds were large (8-10 mm long and 5-6 mm across) with a smooth seed coat. Two hybrids H 1 and H 2 were released as BRS 1 and BRS 2 for cultivation in Kerala. Plant spacing of 1.8m x1.8m for Poovan and Kothia, 1.2m x 1.2m for Rajapuri and Basrai, 1.2m x1.5m x2.4m for Gandevi Selection and 1.2m x 1.2m x 2.0m for Palayankodan was cost-effective. Planting 3 suckers at a spacing of 1.8m x 3.6m with 300:90:450g/pit of N: P₂O₅: K₂O respectively gave highest cost: benefit ratio. Tissue-cultured plants performed better with higher yield with reduced crop duration and uniformity in fruits.

Owing to the adoption of improved production technologies which include season of planting, selection of planting material, method of planting, high density planting, adoption of drip irrigation, nutrition and integrated management of pests and diseases, tremendous increase in production and productivity in banana has been observed in the past 50 years.

Seed-sterile nature of the commercial cultivars and vegetative parthonocarpic has made it almost mandatory to use vegetative part for propagation. The sword suckers of 700-1,000 g are optimum. Rhizomes with active lateral buds and dead central buds are preferred for distant transportation in western India. Double paring and shade drying followed by dipping in 0.5% monocrotophos and 0.2% Bavastin is recommended to disinfect against nematode and soil-borne fungi. In-vitro propagation of banana has been achieved successfully and this method is becoming a commercial reality. However, the adoption of in-vitro propagated plants among growers has been slow mainly because of the high costs. However, adoption of drip irrigation and better management system, has resulted in enhanced return from in-vitro plants. Uniformity in flowering and early harvest of in-vitro plants have been demonstrated at different locations.

Weeds cause approximately 60 - 70% yield loss in banana. Vegetative phase (1-6 months) is most critical and weeds during this phase of growth cause a considerable loss in productivity. Control of weeds during this period enhances the fertilizer-use efficiency and the yield. Suppression of weeds using intercrop, and control through integrated management results in increased production. Growing of crop cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.] is most effective in suppressing the weed growth. Spray of glyphosate twice proved equally effective.

Azospirillum enhances the height, pseudostem girth, and leaf production and leaf area of Poovan banana. In Elakki Cale, association of mycorrhyza increases yield. Under the present system of cultivation, yield of banana exhibits plateau in commercial plantation, and to increase yield exogenous application of growth-regulators have to play significant role. Among the several bio-regulators tried at different locations, application of 2, 4-D (10-20 PPM) improved the bunch weight. Bunch covering with polythene in November increased yield by 25-30%. Two sprays of KH2PO4 at fruit-development stage also increased the bunch weight in Basrai banana.

Banana weevil (Cosmopolites sordidus) is of major concern in Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Assam among the insect pests. According to experts, chemical control for this pest has been worked out. Though mites (Tetranychus sp.) and thrips also cause considerable damage to flowers and fruits, the situation is not alarming. Banana aphid (Pentalonia nigronervosa) is wide spread and causes the damage through transmission of banana bunchy top (BBT). In north-eastern regions, Bihar and Bengal, problem of scarring beetle is alarming which causes scarring on the fruits peel by feeding on young flowers and fruits. The fruits affected by this pest have poor market acceptability. Severe incidence in growth phase reduces yield. Pouring of 30 ml of 0.05% monocrotophos in whorl has been found effective. Pseudostem-borer (Odoiporus longicollis) affects the tall cultivars, which can be controlled by application of systemic insecticides and sanitation of orchard. Other insects are of minor importance. Although problems of insects and pests vary from region to region and chemical control measures have been worked out, enhanced research efforts, directed towards the investigation on factors causing appearance and development of population are needed to develop new techniques with emphasis on integrated management.

Numerous nematode species parasitize on banana roots and their importance as a problem in banana production largely depends on production system, region and cultivars. Although presence of burrowing nematode (Radopholus simiis), root lesion (Pratylenchus coffeae), root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne incognita), spiral nematode (Helicotylenchulus multicinutus), (Helicotylenchulus dihystera), cyst nematode (Heterodera oryziocola) are reported from different parts of the country. Burrowing nematode appears to be of wide spread. Helicotylenchulus is more serious in north-eastern region, whereas cyst nematode is a problem in Kerala only. In Maharashtra where banana is grown in rotation with sorghum problem of nematode is less significant. Similarly, in wet land system of production nematode is not serious compared with garden land banana. Double paring and treating the sucker with 0.5% monocrotophos, growing of sunnhemp as an intercrop and application of neem- cake invariably reduces the population of nematode. Chemical treatment is also suggested. But integration of available cultural, biological, chemical and genetic possibilities is better answer, which would need the knowledge on plant-parasite-soil interactions.

Considerable loss in banana production is caused by fungal diseases like sigatoka leaf-spot (Mycosphaeralla musicola) in humid tropics or coastal regions. Tolerance to the disease depends on the cultivar and growing conditions. The regions where this disease is virulent susceptible cultivars should not be grown, as fungicides are not very effective in reducing incidence of the disease. Monitoring of disease through forecasting, cultural practices, use of fungicides and genetically manipulation needs better understanding, as the disease behaviour is influenced by production system and prevailing weather conditions. Fusarium wilt (Fusarium oxyporum f. sp cubense) is serious on Rasthali group of banana. Fortunately, Canvendish group of banana is not susceptible to this disease, although sporadic incidences has been recorded. Flooding the soil, selecting the suckers and injecting the Carbendazim are effective measures in reducing the incidence. Solution to the problem is possible only through the genetic manipulation. Interaction of fusarium wilt with nematode also needs increased research efforts. Erwinia soft rot and disease caused by Collectotrichum gleosporium and Anthracnose are of regional importance. Large banana plantations have been destroyed by banana bunchy top virus (BBTV). It is considered to be one of the more serious problem. Collection of plants from disease-free area, timely rouging and sanitation are effective in checking the incidence. Aphid vector, viz. Pentalonia nigronervosa is present in all the regions and even the virus-free material does not remain free for long time due to secondary infection. Tetrazolium test has been found effective in detecting the virus, but its sensitivity to little change in chemical makes the test unreliable. Antioxidants are used to enhance the reliability. Quick detection using monoclonal antibody was found effective and can be used for monitoring disease. The losses caused due to this disease largely depend on the stage of infection. In-vitro plants appear more susceptible to this disease. If the spread of disease is not checked, it can be one of the major threats. Use of disease-free planting material, avoidance of susceptible hosts and control of vectors (Pentalonia nigronervoga) are some of the approaches for the management of the disease. Use of antibody has been found effective in monitoring the diseases. Banana streak virus (BSV) identified last year is found to be present in all the banana-growing regions on Poovan cultivar. The symptom is characterized by conspicuous chlorotic leaf streak, which becomes progressively necrotic. The symptom expression is highly influenced by weather conditions and becomes severe in ratoon crops. The pathogen is transmitted by the mealy bug (Planococcus citri) in a semi-persistant manner. The disease is cause of concern, as it is spreading to other cultivars also. In-vitro plants have more incidence of this disease. Kokkan disease of Nendran banana reported from Kerala in 1966 continued to be riddle, a disease of unknown etiology, which was identified as banana bract mosaic virus (BBMV). The characteristic symptoms of the disease are spindle-shaped pattern in unusually red coloured pseudostem, dark streak on petiole base, reddish streaks on bracts and undersized unfilled fruits with an ultimate loss of yield. This disease is widely prevalent on monthan group of banana in all the southern states. Use of disease free planting material, rouguing of infested plants and sanitation are recommended for the management of this disease.

The National Research Centre on Banana (NRCB) at Tiruchi in Tamil Nadu, established by ICAR in 1993, has a 36 hectares farm located 14 km south-west of Tiruchi. Besides carrying out research and development work on improvement in production technology, plant protection, post-harvest management and genetic resource management, the Centre is also providing consultancy services for developing banana orchards. The Centre maintains a banana germplasm of 597 accessions with collections made through the International Network for Improvement of Banana Plantain based in the Philippines. Tiruchi is a banana district in Tamil Nadu with largest area under banana planted with almost all cultivars under different systems of cultivation. The Centre for Plant Protection Studies (CPPS) of the TNAU, Coimbatore and the NRCB at Tiruchi have developed a technique to identify the banana punch top virus at an earlier stage under a project taken up with financial assistance, the World Bank. The scientists at the regional research stations of All India Coordinated Research Project on Banana and the NRCB at Tiruchi are trying to develop hybrid varieties of banana. They have already developed two hybrids, named FHIA-01 and FHIA-03, which were on trial in 1998.