How to combat heat stress in banana cultivation?

Thermal stress occurs at temperatures below 18°C, causing physiological disturbances in the banana tree that lead to bushing of the bunches, which leads to an increase in deformed bunches with lower productivity. Likewise, the low temperature causes the plant's metabolism to produce fewer clusters during the period, which generates lower productivity for up to five months after the period of heat stress.

Thinking about helping the producer, FMC's technical department has carried out technical research to study the relationship between thermal stress and productivity in banana cultivation, aiming to find solutions to minimize this impact. The latest tests were carried out in the regions of Itajaí-SC and Vale do Ribeira. In the municipality of Santa Catarina, the aim was to verify the development of micropropagated banana seedlings under the stress caused by winter conditions, after application of the Crop+ culture enhancer.

 We used the Grande Naine cultivar, acclimatized in a protected screen for 60 days. After this period, it was exposed to the open air, with temperatures varying from 4º to 25º C. We carried out three applications at an interval of 21 days each, with nine repetitions. In conclusion, we observed a significant difference in the diameter of rhizomes that used the solution compared to the other treatments. Therefore, we consider our expectations to be met.

In Vale do Ribeira, data was collected by the UNESP climate station – Campus Registro, and information on the average monthly temperature was analyzed taking into account the production history of the farm and the region.

We determined that around four months after the low temperature period, there was a negative impact on banana productivity. This situation predisposes the use of Crop+ in months of severe stress, in doses manipulated according to the intensity of the stress, with the aim of mitigating negative climatic effects.

The Crop+ crop enhancer, when used at the correct time, acts as a metabolic activator that can preserve the production ceiling during these periods of low temperature. The solution keeps the plant's metabolism more active under acclimatization conditions, suppressing stress due to low temperatures and allowing the plant to develop faster and produce more leaves. This results in a shorter time until harvest, maximizing the productive potential of banana plantations.