Musa Species: Bananas and Plantains

1. MusaSpecies:Bananas and Plantains Wyatt Bellville, Sarah Gillis, Shelbi Machols, Eric Nyhus and Omamah Mohammed Al Jamaan

2. Introduction • The fourth most important food in the world, the Musa genus has established itself as one of the most important and iconic plants on earth (Nelson et al 2006). Discussion: • Biology • Disease • Economic Value • Social and Cultural Resources • Agroforestry and Cultivation

3. Biology • The native range of Musa species is in the Indo-Malesian, Asian and Australian tropics (Image to the right). • They prefer temperate and frost free climates from sea level to 3,000 feet elevation • The average lifespan for a banana tree is about 1 year. A plantation averages a life of 25 years. Resprout via suckers from rhizomes. • Musa species is not a true woody stem but a “pseudostem” (Image to the left)

4. Biology • Musa species fruit like bananas, are highly nutrious and come in many different types.

5. Disease • The factors of severity and occurrence of pests and disease depends on environmental conditions, specific banana variety and the disease or pest. • For example, there are many fungal and bacterial diseases due to the moist tropical growing conditions. • A main pest concern in many countries is from the nematode disease of bananas.

6. Disease • The Black Sigatokadisease is the most costly disease in Central America. • It effects the leaves of the Musa trees, therefore its photosynthesis process. • Central America used to spray fungicides ten to fourteen times a day to control black Sigatoka disease, but has increased application to thirty-five to forty-five times a year. • Poor management is also a problem for banana production because it can lead to disorders in product.

7. Economic Value • Bananas alone generate over $4 billion in revenue annually. • Ecuador makes up nearly ⅓ of the world’s banana trade, and bananas represent close to 61% of the country’s GDP.

8. Economic Value Total Exports of Bananas Globally • The majority of bananas exported are the cavendish variety, followed by cooking bananas, plantains, and dessert bananas.

9. Social and Cultural Resources • There is a long history of Musa use in tropical cultures • The Incas would place banana leaves in tombs of the deceased as a religious ritual • A basket filled with a green coconut surrounded by green bananas is commonly offered to the gods by Buddhists

10. Social and Cultural Resources • Hawaiians linked plantains to a mythical native group called the “Menehunes” as well as using bananas or their leaves in several ceremonial events. • Parts of Musa plants were used in Uganda for dance rituals and for the crafting of charms and jewelry

11. Social and Cultural Resources • Bananas have also found their way into modern western culture. • Bananas are commonly used as a symbol of tropical areas or warm times and also as a comedic prop in western nations.

12. With the exception of plants that create substantial root/sun competition and detrimental allelopathic effects, agroforestry with Musa species is relatively versatile. Agroforestry and Cultivation • Most species of Musa are wind resistant, and need environments with temperatures over 65°F, moist soil, and little shade to thrive. • Wind, infestation, and disease resistance are the main factors affecting cultivation between Musa species.

13. Questions or Comments?

14. References • Food and Agriculture Organization (2002) Chapter 1: Overview of World Banana Production and Trade. The World Banana Economy, 1985-2002. Print. May 2014. • Kakudidi, E. K. (2004). “Cultural and social uses of plants from and around Kibale national park, western Uganda.” African Journal of Ecology, 42(s1), 114-114. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2028.2004.00472. Print. • Nelson, S.C., Ploetz, R.C., Kepler, A.K. (2006) Musa species (banana and plantain). Species Profiles for Pacific Island Agroforestry. Print. April 2014. • Stover, R. H.. (1986) "Disease Management Strategies and the Survival of the Banana Industry. “Annual Review of Phytopathology 24: 83-91. Print. May 2014. • UCSC Center for World History. (2014) Bananas and Popular Culture. University of California, Santa Cruz. Web Accessed May 2014. • United States Department of Agriculture (2011) The Banana Sector in Ecuador. Global Agricultural Information Network (GAIN) Print. May 2014. Pictures and Figures: • www.banana-plants.com • http://ferrebeekeeper.files.wordpress.com/2011/11/b.jpg • http://www.africamuseum.be/prelude/prelude_pic/Musa_acuminata3.jpg • http://www.crowley.com/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/images/shipping-and-logistics-services/liner-shipping-slideshow/reefer-shipping-slideshow/reefer_container_bananas/77421-1-eng-US/Reefer_Container_Bananas_slideshow_large.jpg • http://b2bimg.bridgat.com/files/Fresh_Banana.jpg • http://www.fao.org/docrep/007/y5102e/y5102e04.htm