Researchers from Wageningen University & Research are glean the first Dutch bananas this calendar week . Boerenhart , a supplier of brisk and local products will offer the banana as ' regional production ' to eating place and hospitals in the neighborhood of Wageningen . The culture took position on two type of substrates : coco peat and rock wool . This allow the emergence of banana tree without the small town of aggressive fungus .
In the glasshouse of the experimental farm Unifarm in Wageningen a unique enquiry experiment has been pack out since January . banana grow in the greenhouse in pots and on a substratum , both contrived media for plant life ontogenesis . " For the centesimal day of remembrance of WUR , we develop this programme together with the local cooperation Boerenhart : the cultivation of a regional banana tree in the Wageningen greenhouses , " says Professor of Tropical Plant Pathology Gert Kema . " With this experiment we will inquire whether this finish offers prospects for further enquiry into mastering Fusarium wilt disease . This is due to a land bear fungal pathogen that threatens the banana tree production throughout the creation . So we direct the banana out of the soil . "
banana get excellent on Harlan F. Stone woolThe experiment appear to be very successful , articulate Prof. Kema . " The banana tree plants farm very well on coco peat and stone wool substrate with only the software of a nutrient solution . The advantage of substrate refinement is that nutrient can be well tailor to the pauperization of the plant . In increase , you preclude loss , mayhap about 30 % , from outflow . The Dutch banana does not need disease dominance , which makes finish more sustainable than in traditional production areas . "
Sixty banana plantsThere are sixty plants in the greenhouse , but there are hundreds of K of hectares of banana tree yield worldwide . " One of the thing that we have learn is that the plant density is too high at the moment . We are going to adjust that , so that we will have more sparkle and the lot will be able-bodied to ripen faster in next experiments " , aver Prof. Kema .
Some partners within the Dutch banana project - Wageningen University & Research , Boerenhart , Triple20 , Keygene and Chiquita - are interested in continuing this method acting of cultivation in nursery or other buildings for process a small regional food market . " believe of consumer or restaurants and hospitals in the region . This manner we can also start growing other varieties , for a more diverse range . We are also planning a run in the Philippines to see how preciseness refinement works under ideal condition . "
Sustainable banana tree cultivation worldwideThe banana tree in the Wageningen glasshouse are now ready to be reap . Then they go to a ripening centre of Chiquita . " We are on the way to developing sustainable banana cultivation with new breeds of banana that are resistant to diseases and that are maturate in sound dirt in a creditworthy societal climate , " says Kema .
Source : Wageningen University & Research
