Characteristics of Kepok Banana Cultivation in Various Planting Systems in East Kalimantan
Abstract
Kepok banana is an important horticultural commodity widely cultivated in East Kalimantan due to its high adaptability and relatively stable economic value. In this region, Kepok banana is grown under various cropping systems, including monoculture and intercropping, which potentially influence cultivation practices and production performance. This study aimed to describe the cultivation characteristics of Kepok banana across different cropping systems in East Kalimantan, including planting practices, crop management, pest and disease control, and harvesting and production. The research was conducted in several regencies and districts of East Kalimantan using a survey and field observation approach. Data were collected through farmer interviews and direct observations of cultivation practices, and subsequently analyzed descriptively. The results showed that Kepok banana cultivation was predominantly based on sucker-derived planting materials, with limited use of tissue-cultured plantlets. The cropping systems applied varied between monoculture and intercropping, mainly with oil palm. Crop management practices remained largely conventional, characterized by herbicide-based weed control and variable rates of inorganic fertilizers. Fusarium wilt was identified as the major plant disease, with severity ranging from mild to moderate, while pest and disease management practices were generally not well integrated. Kepok banana productivity ranged from less than 10 to 30 tons per hectare, influenced by cropping system, management intensity, and local agroecological conditions. Overall, the study indicates that Kepok banana cultivation in East Kalimantan has substantial potential for improvement through the adoption of more standardized cultivation technologies, the use of healthy planting materials, balanced nutrient management, and integrated pest and disease management to enhance productivity and sustainability of Kepok banana farming
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