"Eyes" of Cavendish banana sucker
are removed to enhance survival.
Dr Abe V Rotor
Ready-to-harvest Cavendish banana.
Now this is a paradox, for how can a blind creature have a better chance to survive? But this traditional practice is not to be taken literally. Actually, the eyes being referred to are the developing buds on the sucker which are the equivalence of tillers. The scientific explanation is that, these young buds grow fast and compete with the transplanted sucker, drawing out the nutrients it needs. Thus "blinding" is actually aborting the buds, which appear like eyes on closer look. (Note: This practice is done only to Cavendish variety (bongolan or tumok Ilk, and not to other varieties.
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* Musa cavendishii, named after William Cavendish, Duke of Devonshire in 1834 after receiving a shipment of bananas from Mauritius.
References: Living with Folk Wisdom AV Rotor, University of Santo Tomas, Manila 2008; Internet photos
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