Fonsah answered questions from the students about the differences between ornamental and fruiting banana plants.

TIFTON — Students from Charles Spencer Elementary School learned about banana growing in Georgia during a field trip to The University of Georgia’s Tifton Campus.

Dr. Esendugue Greg Fonsah took the fourth graders on a tour of a banana grove he is cultivating near the experiment station.

The students were able to see bananas on the tree in various stages of growth, from tiny banana buds to a fully ripe bunch. Fonsah also demonstrated how bananas were harvested and gave the ripe bunch to the classes to try.

Fonsah also donated several banana plants to the school’s community garden.

While bananas are a tropical fruit, scientists are trying to find ways to grow them in the United States, said Fonsah.

Banana plants are grown for decoration and landscaping as well as for the fruits. Fonsah said that developing varieties that can be grown in the United States, and specifically in Georgia, will keep more of the $2.6 billion annually spent on importing bananas here.