The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of managing banana mother plants and time of selection of sucker on their productive characteristics, using the cultivar 'Prata Anã´ (Musa spp. genomic group AAB). The crop was planted in March 1997, spaced by 3.5 m x 2.0 m. An experimental area of 2.1 hectares was demarcated in February 2002. A split-plot design was used incorporating a completely random design with three replications. The plots consisted of five plants submitted to two managements: M1 - hill managed without the mother plant, which was removed right after flowering; M2 - hill managed with the mother plant (conventional management). The subplots consisted of twelve selection times of sucker, beginning in February 2002 and ending in January 2003. The following characteristics were evaluated: 1. Vegetative cycle (number of days between selection time of suckers and its harvest); 2. Bunch weight of suckers. There was significant effect of plant management and selection time on vegetative cycle. Bunch weight of suckers did not respond to removal of mother plant, but it was affected by selection time of suckers.
Musa ssp; sucker plant; vegetative cycle; mass bunch
