Banana

Scientific Name : Musa spp.
Local Name : Pisang
Other Common Name : Banananen (German), Banano (Spanish)

Origin
Native to Southeast Asia and Australia.

Uses
Normally eaten fresh, puree. Some varieties are generally cooked first (fried, boiled, baked or chipped).

Nutrient Content
Banana is a good source of kalium and phosphor. Kalium is an important mineral required by nervous and muscle systems. So if it is consumed together with milk, it can generate effects that calm nerves. Besides containing various vitamins (vitamins A, C, B1, B2, and B6), banana is a good source of instant energy because of its high degree of natural sugar that is easy to absorb.

Plant Cultivation
The banana plant is a pseudostem that grows to 7.6 m tall, growing from a corm. Leaves are spirally arranged and may grow 2.7 m long and 60 cm wide. Each pseudostem would produce a bunch of yellow, green, or even red bananas before dying and being replaced by another pseudostem. Banana plant likes fertile soil. Ideal temperature is between 21-32 C.

The banana fruit grows in hanging clusters, with up to 20 fruits to a tier (called a hand), and 3-20 tiers to a bunch. The total of the hanging clusters is known as a bunch, or commercially as a "banana stem", and can weigh from 30–50 kg. The fruit averages 125 g, of which approximately 75% is water and 25% dry matter content. Each individual fruit (known as a banana or 'finger') has a protective outer layer (a peel or skin) with a fleshy edible inner portion.

In Indonesia, banana is available all year round, varieties Barangan is available in January–June.

Propagation
Sucker, tissue culture.

Varieties
Mas Kirana, Raja Bulu, Barangan, Cavendish, Tanduk, Ambon, Susu, Kepok.

Area of Production
West Java, Central Java, East Java, Lampung, North Sumatra, South Sumatra, Kalimantan.

Exports
Japan, Hongkong, China, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, Australia, The Netherlands, United States, France.

References:
- www.wikipedia.org
- www.indonesiafruitexport.com/ENG/ftype.php?frID=2
- www.ristek.go.id