High density planning and use of nutrient stick for enhanced productivity in tissue culture (TC) banana (Musa AAB) cv. nendran

Abstract

An investigation entitled “High density planting and use of nutrient stick for enhanced productivity in Tissue Culture (TC) banana (Musa AAB) cv. Nendran” was carried out at Instructional farm II, Nileshwar during 2023 to 2024 to analyse the productivity of TC Nendran banana supplemented with nutrient stick under high density planting. The field experiment was laid out in a randomized block design with nine treatments and three replications. The experiment had two main factors (i) planting density D1: One sucker per hill (2m x 2m), D2: Two suckers per hill (2m x 3m), D3: Three suckers per hill (2m x 3m) and (ii) fertilizer schedule, F1: KAU POP, F2: KAU POP + 10 nutrient sticks per hill each at 2 MAP and 4 MAP, F3: KAU POP + 10 nutrient sticks per hill each at 2 MAP, 4 MAP and 6 MAP. Results of the field experiment showed significant changes in the growth attributes, yield attributes, leaf nutrient content, fruit quality and chemical properties of soil. Pseudostem height was highest for D1 in initial stages but at harvest D3 produced maximum height while in case of pseudostem girth, D1 had the highest value till harvest. Number of functional leaves, total leaves, leaf length, leaf breadth was highest for D1 and corresponding LAI was the highest in D3. D3 recorded maximum crop duration and more days to bunch emergence while it took minimum days to ripening. D3 produced maximum number of suckers per pit while D1 produced maximum number of suckers per plant. Yield attributes like bunch weight, number of hands per bunch, number of fingers per hand, average weight of fingers, finger length, finger breadth was the highest for D1 but bunch weight per pit and yield per hectare were the highest for D3. Fertilizer schedule and their interaction with planting density did not produce any significant influence on growth and yield attributes Soil analysis reported that EC was the highest for D3 and F3 and also for their interaction d3f3, which was on par with d3f1 and d3f2. Organic carbon, Ca, Mg and B were the highest in D1 while available N, P and K were significantly higher for D3. Leaf nutrient analysis showed significantly higher concentration of nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium and boron in D1. Fruit analysis revealed that TSS, reducing sugar, non-reducing sugars and shelf life were significantly higher for D1 while titrable acidity was the highest for D3. Nutrient uptake of nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium and boron were significantly higher for D3. The highest gross income, net income and benefit cost ratio were obtained from D3. Net income and benefit cost ratio were the highest for F1 The present investigation revealed that high density planting of Tissue Culture banana @ three suckers per hill (2m x 3m) is beneficial for getting higher yield and maximum economic return.