The paper answers four major research questions on banana cultivation using a literature review of research reports across the Globe followed by a meta-analysis approach.
1. At what spacing, banana needs to be planted for high fruit yield while grown as a sole-crop in open field ?
The planting density was found to be both ecologically and economically beneficial, between 1000 and 3500 plants per hectare depending on variety, soil moisture and nutrient levels. High planting density generally significantly delayed banana flowering
2. Whether the days to flowering, number of leaves produced and fruit yield of banana are higher while is grown under artificial shade/protected cultivation over open field differs ?
Banana plants produce more leaves and flower nearly 2 months earlier in greenhouse than open field conditions. Yield of banana increases at artificial shade but decreases as the light intensity decreases beyond a significant level.
3. Whether the yield of banana grown as intercrop in agoforestry system is comparable to that of grown as sole-crop ?
Nearly 80 to 97 % yield decrease in banana observed while grown in agroforestry over open field.
4. Despite low fruit yield what economic criteria offers advantage to banana grown in agroforestry system ?
In 10 cases, more than 20% of the economic benefit obtained from banana as intercrop.