1. Introduction:
Banana is an important fruit crop. It is grown in many parts of India. It is suited to a variety of climates, soil types, etc. It is commercially propagated by,
Suckers.
Micropropagation (Tissue Culture).
Sexual propagation of bananas is not very popular as the seeds are not viable. The banana has a reduced underground stem, called the rhizome, which bears several buds. Each of these buds sprouts and forms its own pseudo stem and a new bulbous rhizome. These daughter plants are called suckers.

2. Types of Suckers: Banana is propagated by rhizomes and suckers
Sword suckers: With well developed base and narrow sword-shaped leaf blades at the early stages. Commercially used in propagation.
Water suckers: They possess broader leaves. They do not produce healthy banana clumps.

3. Selection of Suckers:
The following major criteria should for selection of Sword Suckers are as follows,
The suckers should have broad corm.
The suckers must have narrow sword-like leaves.
The suckers from viral, fungal and bacterial infection free mother plants must be selected.
Some other criteria which must also be considered are
Suckers of 2-4 months age are selected.
Suckers should weigh about 500 to 1500 g.
They should have a stem diameter of 2 to 6 inches.

4. Selection of suckers:
The suckers should be selected from plants which are,
Healthy,
With desirable bunch qualities and disease resistance
High yielding ability.
The plant must produce bunches with at least 10 hands/bunch.
Sucker used should be freshly dug.
Suckers must be selected from healthy banana field.
Suckers should not be damaged during digging and transport.
The leaves are commonly cut off in nursery trade.

5. Sword Suckers and Water Suckers in Banana

6. Treatment of Suckers:
The selected suckers should be ‘pared’, roots and rotten portion on surface of the corm are trimmed.
The pared suckers are dipped in 0.2% Carbendazim (2g /liters of water) solution for about 15 –20 minutes for prevention of Fusarium wilt disease.
The treated suckers are dried in shade overnight before planting.

7. Planting of Suckers: Can be planted in furrows or pits.
The method and depth of planting depends on soil strata.
Recommended pit size of 45cm x 45cm x 45cm.
Pits are left to scorch in sun before filling.
The pits are filled with top soil mixed with 10 kg of FYM, 250 gm of Neem cake and 20 gm of carbofuron.
The suckers are planted in the centre of the pit and the soil around the plant is gently pressed.
Deep planting should be avoided.
Irrigate the plants immediately after planting.