TY  - BOOK
AU  - Dovelyn Peters C
AU  - Shahul Hameed S M (Guide)
TI  - Maximisation OF Productivity By Rescheduling The Nutrient Application In Banana 
U1  - 630 
PY  - 1997///
CY  - Vellayani
PB  - Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture 
N2  - An experiment was conducted at the Instructional Farm 
attached to College of Agriculture, Vellayani during December 
1995 to September 1996 with the objectives of finding out the 
optimum dose of fertilizer and frequency of their application 
to maximise the productivity of banana. Three levels of NPK and 
four frequencies of application and two additional treatments 
(Farmer's practice and NPK based on soil test value) were 
 

 
tested 
 

for their efficacy in 3x4+2 factorial RBD with two 
 

 
replications. 
The results of the study revealed that application of 
I 
380:115:600 g NPK plant-1 (L2) significantly improved the 
vegetative characters viz. height and girth of pseudostem, 
number of leaves and LAI and induced early shooting (184.06 
days) and reduced the total crop duration (268.59 days). 
Fertilizer application in six splits have also significantly 
improved the vegetative characters. However application of 
 

 
380:115:600 g NPK plant-1 in six splits could impart  
significant improvement only on the height of the plant. 
Bunch yield was observed to be the highest (10.42 kg) 
at L2 level. Significant improvement in the bunch characters 
and finger characters (mature) observed at this level resulted 
in higher bunch yield. Among the bunch characters, number of 
 
fingers bunch-1 (46.49) and bunch length (54.35 cm) were 
highest at L2 level. Significantly higher values for all the 
finger characters studied were recorded at this level. In the 
case of frequency of application, six splits recorded the 
highest bunch weight (11.20 kg) compared to other splits. Here 
also as in the case with NPK levels, six splits recorded 
significantly higher values for all the finger characters 
studied and the bunch characters viz., number of fingers 
bunch-1 and bunch length which in turn contributed to higher 
bunch weight. 
Among the ripe fruit characters, highest pulp/peel 
ratio was recorded at the lowest level of NPK (190:115:300 g 
NPK plant-1) even though higher finger weight, pulp weight and 
peel weight were recorded at L2 level. Six splits recorded 
significantly higher finger weight and pulp weight compared to 
other splits. However highest pulp/peel ratio recorded at six 
splits was on par with ten splits. Application of 380:115:600 
g NPK plant-1 in six splits recorded significantly higher finger weight and pulp weight compared to other treatments. 
Among the quality attributes, significantly higher 
values for TSS, total and nonreducing sugars, sugar/acid ratio 
were recorded at lowest level of NPK (L1) and these values 
showed a decreasing trend with increase in levels of NPK. 
However acidity and reducing sugar content values were lowest 
 
at L1 level and these values increased with increase in levels 
of N and K. However starch content was highest at L2 level. 
Frequency of application and interaction effects were 
significant only with respect to starch content and non reducing sugar content. Sensory evaluation of ripe fruits 
revealed that lowest level of NPK (190:115:300 g NPK plant-1) 
produced better quality fruits. 
NPK content of index leaf at harvest did not show any 
significant variation among treatments. Available NPK content 
of the soil after harvest recorded higher values compared to 
initial status. Available phosphorus and K20 contents recorded 
highest values at L3 level indicating lesser uptake by the 
plant. 
When the economics of production was worked out, it 
was observed that T2 recorded the highest B:C ratio (2.46) 
followed by T6 (2.45) while highest net profit (Rs.18460) was 
obtained in T6, 
The present study revealed that application of 
380:115:600 g NPK plant-1 in six splits was beneficial for 
better growth, yield and quality of fruits in ‘Nendran' banana.

UR  - http://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/handle/1/5810135042
ER  -