Precision Approaches in Banana Cultivation for Sustainable Productivity
Santhi V.P.
Department of Horticulture, Anbil Dharmalingam Agricultural College & Research Institute, Navalurkottapattu, Tamil Nadu, India.
Auxcilia J.
Department of Fruit Science, Horticultural College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore – 641 003, India.
Ranjani M. *
Division of Food Science and Postharvest Technology, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi – 110 012, India.
Geethalakshmi I.
Department of Fruit Science, Horticultural College and Research Institute for Women, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Navalur Kuttapattu, Trichy – 620 027, India.
Vallarasu S.
Division of Floriculture & Landscaping, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi – 110 012, India.
Dhivya Rekha K.
Horticultural College and Research Institute for Women, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Navalur Kuttapattu, Trichy – 620 027, India.
Devadharshan N. S.
Horticultural College and Research Institute, Periyakulam, Tamil Nadu, 625 604, India.
Kaviya Dharshini U.
Division of Food Science and Postharvest Technology, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi – 110 012, India.
Vasuki Francis.
Division of Floriculture & Landscaping, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi – 110 012, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Banana cultivation is increasingly challenged by limited land availability, climate variability, and declining resource-use efficiency, necessitating the adoption of precision-based production strategies. This review critically synthesizes recent advances in high-density planting (HDP), precision nutrient and water management, improved planting material, and other hi-tech interventions for enhancing banana productivity and sustainability. Evidence from experimental and multi-location studies indicates that HDP systems with plant densities ranging from 2,500 to 5,000 plants ha⁻¹ can increase yield by 19–79% over conventional planting, depending on cultivar, spacing, and management practices. Precision fertigation under HDP has been reported to reduce fertilizer use by 25–50% while maintaining or improving bunch weight, fruit quality, and economic returns. In addition, optimized planting geometry and resource management improve light interception, water-use efficiency, and overall system resilience. These approaches improve resource-use efficiency by reducing fertilizer and water inputs by approximately 25–50%, while enhancing economic returns through yield gains of 20–70% compared with conventional banana cultivation systems. This review highlights that integrating precision approaches with cultivar-specific recommendations offers a viable pathway for achieving sustainable productivity in banana cultivation, particularly under Indian and South Asian production systems, while also identifying key research gaps for future refinement.
Graphical Abstract
Keywords: Precision management, sustainability, banana, micropropagation