Substitution of muriate of potash by common salt in banana Musa (AAA group CAVENDISH subgroup) ‘Robusta’

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted III the College of Agriculture, Vellayani during August 1999 to June 2000 to study the extent of substitution of K of muriate of potash by Na of common salt in banana cv. Robusta. Four treatments involving four levels of K at 25, 50, 75 and 100 per cent of recommended dose and four treatments substituting K with N a at 25, 50, 75 and 100 per cent were tried in RBD with three replications. The plant growth parameters like plant height, pseudostem girth, number of functional leaves and LAI varied significantly due to treatments at all growth stages. These parameters in the 100 per cent K and 50 per cent K plus 50 per cent Na treatments were on par at all growth stages. Chlorophyll content and RLWC showed an increase with the addition of Na along with K. Highest bunch yield was recorded in the 50 per cent K plus 50 per cent N a treatment followed by the yield in the lOO per cent K treatment. The yield attributes like length of bunch, number of hands per bunch, number of fingers per bunch, length and girth of fingers reflected similar trends.

The quality of fruits as reflected in the total soluble solid content, total sugar content and acidity was as good in 50 per cent K plus 50 per cent N a treatment as in 100 per cent K treatment. With increase in the levels of substitution above 50 per cent there was reduction in total soluble solids and sugar content. Shelf life of fruits did not vary significantly due to treatments. Pulp/peel ratio in the 100 per cent K and 50 per cent K plus 50 per cent N a treatments were on par. Pulp/peel ratio decreased significantly with increase 10 substitution of K by Na above 50 per cent level. The uptake of nutrients except N a was higher at the 50 per cent K plus 50 per cent N a treatment and decreased with increase in substitution of K by Na above this level. Na uptake increased upto 75 per cent substitution of K by N a and decreased at 100 per cent substitution. The treatments did not have any influence on the soil physical and chemical p-roperties.

Bunch yield was positively and significantly correlated to plant girth (2MAP), chlorophyll content and LA!. It can thus be concluded that upto fifty per cent of the K requirement of Robusta banana, grown in soils of low K status, can be replaced by Na of common salt.