Bananas: fast, healthy food for millions

Bananas are a staple food for 400 million people, grown in 130 countries. Banana plantations are often fragile environments where paraquat plays an important role extending beyond weed control. The UN Food and Agriculture Organisation ranks bananas as the world’s fourth most important crop after the major cereals. Bananas provide energy, are fat-free and rich in potassium and vitamins.

Banana plantations can be fragile environments in which soil, water and biodiversityDescription The variety of life in all its forms, levels and combinations. Includes ecosystem diversity, species diversity, and genetic diversity (IUCN, UNEP and WWF, 1991). Authoritative On-line References and Resources http://earthtrends.wri.org/ EarthTrends is a comprehensive online database, maintained by the World Resources Institute, that focuses on environmental, social, and economic trends. Statistics on biodiversity indicators are available. all need special care. Weeds, pests and diseases flourish in tropical climates if unchecked. Integrated pest management (IPMDescription A decision support system for crop protection which focuses on long-term prevention or suppression of pest problems with minimum impact on human health, the environment, and non-target organisms. IPM takes into consideration all available pest control techniques and tactics (cultural, mechanical, biological, chemical). IPM emphasizes the growth of healthy crops for better productivity with the least possible disruption to agroecosystems. Authoritative On-line References and Resources http://www.ipmcenters.org "The USDA's National Site for the Regional IPM Centers' Information System provides information about US commodities, pests and pest management practices, people and issues.") approaches are widely used to ensure that crops are protected in a sustainable way. Emphasis is on the management of weeds rather than their permanent removal. This minimises soil erosionDescription Displacement of solids (soil, mud, rock and other particles) usually by the agents of currents such as, wind, water, or ice by downward or down-slope movement. Authoritative On-line References and Resources http://soilerosion.net/ This site brings together reliable information on soil erosion from a wide range of disciplines and sources. It aims to be the definitive internet source for those wishing to find out more about soil loss and soil conservation.. Paraquat is an ideal herbicide, controlling weeds before they threaten crop yield, but allowing some regrowth of soft perennial grassesDescription The leaves are "narrow" as opposed to the "broad" leaves of broadleaved weeds. Also called 'monocots' having one seed leaf opposed to 'dicots' having two seed leaves. Authoritative On-line References and Resources http://iws.ucdavis.edu/ The International Weed Science Society represents individual associations around the world. Details of these regional associations are listed. and new flushes of germination of annual weedsDefinition Weeds that complete their life cycle within one growing season, or year. From seed to flowering to seed before the year ends. Authoritative On-line References and Resources http://iws.ucdavis.edu/ The International Weed Science Society represents individual associations around the world. Details of these regional associations are listed..

Paraquat can be used safely around parent and daughter banana plants with no fear of accidental spray drift damaging either generation. Unlike glyphosate, it is not systemic and it cannot enter roots, being extremely tightly bound to soil on contact. Paraquat is very fast acting and rainfast. Weeds sprayed in the morning will often show symptoms by the afternoon, making it easy for spray operators and plantation managers to see which areas have already been sprayed. This holds even if rain falls within 15-30 minutes, making it possible to spray for longer before rain is expected.