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Global meta-analysis of banana grown under high density, natural and artificial shade - Proceedings of the Indian National Science Academy

The productivity of banana plants exhibits significant variation based on planting density and the cultivation system employed, whether grown as monoculture in open fields, or in an agroforestry, or under protected cultivation. To elucidate these differences, 82 peer-reviewed studies have been selected using scopus web of science search engines that compare the performance of banana plants under high-density planting versus normal density, natural shade under tree canopy versus monoculture in open fields, and artificial shade conditions versus monoculture in open fields. In 30 experiments, the effects of higher plant density over conventional density were demonstrated, with an average yield of 20.7% higher but a high heterogeneity of almost one-and-a-half times. Despite the 86.5% reduction in average banana yields in the agroforestry system compared to the single crop; bananas are chosen as a companion crop due to a total increase in economic benefits of 51.79%. The analysis of 21 case studies revealed an average16.9% improvement in artificial shade over in open fields. High-density plants and artificially shaded banana plants produce more leaves than the best density and open fields, respectively. In three locations, bananas grown at a high density take longer time to flower than bananas grown at an optimal density. The banana plant grown inartificial shade (< 80% shade) yielded good yields and bloomed 52 days earlier than open-field farming. The conclusions of the research on the optimal density of plantings (1000 to 3500 plants per hectare), the (30–70%) shade level and the economics of banana-based agroforestry systems are relevant for research into improving banana productivity through cultivation systems.