What to Do About Banana Fruit Cracking? A Detailed Guide to the Latest Prevention Measures

In the late stage of banana fruit development, the peel is highly prone to longitudinal splitting; after rain the cracks rot, while in dry climates the peel near the cracks shrivels. It also invites pests and diseases, seriously affecting fruit yield and quality and causing huge economic losses. So how do you prevent banana fruit cracking? Let's take a look at the detailed guide below.

1. Strengthen fertilizer and water management

The main cause of banana fruit cracking is climate change; for example, when a long drought is suddenly followed by rain, the flesh rapidly swells after absorbing excess water, and the peel cannot keep up with the flesh's growth rate and bursts under the pressure from the flesh. Therefore, management must be strengthened in the late growth stage of bananas. After the banana bunch emerges, apply more farmyard manure or organic fertilizer to improve the soil structure, making the soil loose and fertile, promoting root growth, strengthening the tree vigor and improving disease resistance. During fruit development, water once every 3-5 days in dry conditions to keep the soil moist, and pay attention to the application of phosphorus and potassium fertilizers to ensure sufficient nutrients.

2. Foliar fertilization

After the banana bunch is de-budded, the demand for nutrients is high, and the root uptake of some plants cannot keep up with what their growth requires, so foliar spraying is used to promote growth. Generally, spray foliar fertilizer once every 7-10 days; you can use Jiaodabao at 700-800 times dilution or polynucleotide at 200 times dilution, or high-efficiency foliar potassium green-rich element at 1000 times dilution, to promote fruit development.

3. Bagging

During the fruit development period, inspect frequently. If cracking is found, promptly cut off the cracked banana hands and dispose of them centrally to prevent further cracking. To reduce the occurrence of cracking, when the young banana fruit turns upward, you can use special banana bags to cover the bunch properly, which favors fruit development and gives a good preventive effect against cracking.

4. Timely harvest

Bananas also crack when overripe, so at maturity, fruit for long-distance sale should generally be harvested at 70-80% ripe, while fruit for local sale can be harvested at 80-90% ripe. This avoids severe cracking when bananas are overripe and reduces losses.

The above is an introduction to prevention measures for banana fruit cracking. We hope it helps you. For more related knowledge, please stay tuned to us.