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Application of bunch covers is one of the most important intercultural practices to increase the yield and improve the quality of banana. Although use of bunch covers has been established as a standard practice in banana cultivation, but its performance in a high density planting is yet to be ascertained experimentally. The investigation was carried out in the Experimental Farm, Department of Horticulture, Jorhat during 2013-2014 in order to find out the best bunch cover material among white non-woven polypropylene bag, blue non-woven polypropylene bag, transparent polyethylene bag, leno bag, gunny bag, dry banana leaves and Control (no cover) in banana cv. Jahaji (AAA) under the high density planting system. Most of the yield parameters were significantly influenced by the application of bunch covers. The highest finger length, finger girth, finger weight and finger volume were recorded in white non-woven polypropylene bag, while the lowest values were recorded in the uncovered. The increase in finger weight increased the hand weight, bunch weight and ultimately the yield in white non-woven polypropylene bag (115.62 t/ha) which were lowest in control (93 t/ha). Similarly, highest harvest index (0.32) was obtained under white non-woven polypropylene cover and lowest (0.25) was obtained in the control. The variation in rise in the temperature within the bunch covers was considered as the main cause behind variation in yield.

Key words: India; Musa; Yield improvement; Bunch cover, High density planting system