MSc

The experiment entitled “Management of calcium, magnesium, sulphur and boron in TC banana (Musa spp.) var. Nendran” was carried out with the objective to study the effect of soil application of calcium, magnesium, sulphur and foliar application of boron on hardening of tissue culture (TC) plants and the application of these nutrients in the field. The investigations were carried out at College of Agriculture (COA), Padannakkad and RARS farm at Nileshwar during December 2013 to January 2015. The whole study consisted of two parts– hardening studies and field experiment.
The hardening studies were conducted in the mist chamber at COA, Padannakkad with TC banana plants of uniform age and size derived from same culture. The experiment was carried out in CRD with two levels each of calcium (75 and 150 ppm), magnesium (25 and 50 ppm), sulphur (25 and 50 ppm) and boron (0.25 and 0.5 %). There were sixteen treatment combinations and one control with three replications. Four plants were maintained in each of the replications. The potting mixture was prepared uniformly and then it was fortified using the various treatment combinations of calcium, magnesium, sulphur and the plants were raised in polybags for a period of two months. Boron application in the form of foliar spray at two levels of concentration was carried out immediately after planting and one month after planting. Significant differences among the treatments were observed in the biometric characteristics of the plants. T10 (150 ppm Ca, 25 ppm Mg, 25 ppm S and 0.5 % B) recorded maximum number of leaves, leaf length, leaf breadth and plant height.
These two hundred and four hardened tissue culture banana plants were planted at RARS farm, Nileshwar in RBD with seventeen treatments and three replications. Four plants were maintained in each plot. Major nutrients viz. N, P, K application and other cultural practices were uniformly followed for all plants as per POP, KAU (2011). The treatments consisted of soil application of two levels of calcium (75 and 150 g Ca/plant), magnesium (25 and 50 g/plant) and sulphur (25 and 50 g/plant) at second and fourth month after planting along with two levels of boron (0.25 and 0.5 %) foliar sprays at first, second, fourth month after planting and one spray after bunch emergence. Observations of vegetative characters were taken at the time of bunch emergence.
The results of the field experiment revealed that among the vegetative characters, number of leaves showed significant differences among the treatment. Highest leaf number and plant height were found in T12 whereas pseudostem girth and number of suckers produced were highest in T3. Among the yield characteristics bunch weight, number of hands, number of fingers, average weight of fingers and average number of suckers showed significant difference. The highest bunch weight and number of fingers were recorded in T4 (75 g Ca + 25 g Mg + 50 g S + 0.5% B) with 12.97 kg as against 10.34 kg in control whereas number of hands was highest in T11. Among the finger characteristics, average weight of finger was highest in T10, length and girth in T3 and T5 respectively. T3 produced maximum number of suckers at the time of harvest. The time span taken from planting to bunch emergence and harvest were non significant. Disease (sigatoka leaf spot) incidence eventhough non significant, compared to control plots the treated plots registered lower incidence.
Fruit characteristics like TSS, titrable acidity, vitamin C content, reducing sugar content and pulp to peel ratio were studied. Of these, titrable acidity, vitamin C content, reducing sugar content and pulp to peel ratio showed significant differences among the treatments. Reducing sugar content and pulp to peel ratio of all the treatments were found to be superior to the control. Among the treatments, highest vitamin C content was found in T5. Average titrable acidity was found to be lowest in T2 and highest was in control. Maximum TSS content and reducing sugar percentage was recorded in T6. Among the treatments, lowest pulp peel ratio was in control and highest ratio of was observed in T16.
After the harvest, the effect of these treatments on soil nutrient availability was studied. The results showed that EC, P, Cu and Zn status were significant. Similarly, leaf nutrient analysis at the time of harvest revealed that Ca, Mg, S, B, Fe and Mn showed significant differences among the treatments.
Both the hardening studies and field experiment indicated the beneficial effect of secondary nutrients and boron on TC banana. T10 (150 ppm Ca, 25 ppm Mg, 25 ppm S and 0.5% B) and T4 (75 g Ca + 25 g Mg + 50 g S + 0.5% B) were found to be performing well under hardening and field conditions, respectively.

Benefit cost ratio of the best treatment (T4) extrapolated from twelve plants is found to be 2.85 (@ Rs 35/kg of fruit). So this shows that the treatment is promising higher returns to the farmers.