Heatwave leaves banana farmers high and dry

For the first time in 15 years, K. Sekar, a banana farmer at Vayalur in Tiruchi, witnessed the plants in his farm wither and fruits ripening early. The water from the stem could not reach the top because of the hot weather and hence the top portion withered away, he said.

With day temperature ranging between 38 and 42 degrees Celsius across the State, the year-long crop had been hit badly, ICAR-National Research Centre for Banana (NRCB) Director R. Selvarajan told The Hindu. For the banana crop, 35 degrees Celsius is considered an ideal temperature.

Mr. Selvarajan said, “Such high temperatures are detrimental to banana crop. Due to inadequate water moving from the stem, falling, and breaking of banana plants are common.”