Effect of saline water on growth, yield, quality and nutrition of banana (Musa [AB] Neypoovan)

Abstract

The field experiment with Neypoovan by using irrigation water having three levels of salinity viz.. 0.3, 2.5 and 5.0 dS m ' in Udic Haplustalfs showed that the girth, physiologically active leaves, biomass and hunch yield decreased significantly with higher levels of saline water irrigation. The magnitude of yield reduction at 2.5 and 5.0 dS m' was 16 and 36 per cent over non-saline water. The finger weight reduced from 76.7 g at 0.3 dS m ' to 47.7 g at 5.0 dS in ' salinity and likewise pulp and peel weight, pulp / peel ratio and total soluble solids of fruits. Nutrient concentrations of N, K, Mg, Na, Cl and Mn in the index leaves varied due to saline water irrigation. Root was found to be the best sampling organ for sodium as accumulation was more in the roots than in the index leaves. Salinity threshold values worked out based on regression equation for 25 and 50 per cent yield decrease were found to be 3.90 and 6.94 dS m ' respectively for this variety of banana.