ABSTRACT
An average density of 2,000 banana plants per hectare year-1 has been reported. Located at an angle of 45° to the horizontal, the high tensile strength of bamboo makes it suitable as a heavy banana tree brace. However, due to its abundance of microbial substrates such as intrinsic sugars and starches, bamboo is prone to rapid decomposition under hot, humid climates. As had occurred for samples in a stored bauxite overburden in a study, cold-water starch dissolution extended the durability of outdoor bamboo support sticks in at least a five-fold ratio. Such results promise the use of the sticks not only as banana tree braces but also as a product for other outdoor uses under conditions of rapid tropical decomposition. To reduce losses, plantations apply stick braces made of bamboo in some locations, based on bamboo’s high tensile strength. However, in many locations, sticks from slower-growing, trees, rather than bamboos, are used, thereby promoting deforestation.
