Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
The plant population of an orchard depends on the total land area, the spacing between individual planting hills, and the number of plants planted per hill.
Key Formula or Approach:
The formula to calculate the number of planting hills per hectare is:
\[ \text{Number of hills per hectare} = \frac{\text{Total Area (in m}^2\text{)}}{\text{Spacing between hills (Row Spacing } \times \text{ Plant Spacing)}} \]
Given that:
- Total Area of 1 hectare = \( 10,000\text{ m}^2 \)
- Spacing = \( 1.8\text{ m} \times 3.6\text{ m} \)
- Number of plants per hill = 3 suckers
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
First, calculate the area occupied by one hill:
\[ \text{Area per hill} = 1.8\text{ m} \times 3.6\text{ m} = 6.48\text{ m}^2 \]
Now, calculate the number of hills per hectare:
\[ \text{Number of hills} = \frac{10,000}{6.48} \approx 1543.2 \text{ hills/ha} \]
Since 3 suckers are planted at each hill (a common practice in high-density planting of banana to maximize yields), the total number of banana plants (suckers) per hectare is:
\[ \text{Total plants} = 1543.2 \times 3 = 4629.6 \text{ plants/ha} \]
Accounting for field boundaries, pathways, and standard management practices, this theoretical value corresponds to a commercial recommendation of 4500 plants per hectare.
Therefore, option (C) is the most accurate and logical answer.
Step 3: Final Answer:
The plant population under a 3 suckers/hill system at 1.8 \( \times \) 3.6 m spacing is 4500 plants per hectare.