Yield maximization in banana C V .Nendran through systematic approach of fertilizer use in the red loam Soils of Vellayani

Abstract

In order to achieve maximum yield with minimum fertilizer and to develop an economically viable fertilizer recommendation in banana cv. Nendran, a 'systematic approach' in fertilizer use was experimented in red loam soils of Vellayani, Kerala. The initial nutrient status of soil and the data already generated by Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, College of Agriculture, Vellayani (Susan, 2000) on sorption capacity of soil were utilized to formulate the optimum treatment for greenhouse nutrient survey study using sorghum as the indicator crop. The design of the experiment was CRD with fourteen treatments and three replications. The nutrient elements N, K, Ca and Mg were found to be deficient in the soil through this study. The treatments of the field trial were also generated from the results of greenhouse nutrient survey study. The nutrient elements which were found deficient were added in the field trial in different combinations. The treatments composed of four levels of each of fertilizer N (60, 120, 180, 240 g plant"), K20 (80, 160, 240, 320 g plant."), Ca (0, 190, 380, 570 g plant-I) and a single level of Mg (120 g plant-I). These treatments were compared with the control and POP recommendations. The design of the experiment was RBD and there were two replications of thirteen treatments. The treatments T 4 which was the optimum treatment, T 5 with maximum N applied and T 8 with maximum K applied, showed higher values along with POP in growth as well as yield characters of the crop. The marked effects of these treatments than the others indicate the significance of 'systematic approach' studies in banana. The cost of fertilizer nutrients highly influenced the value-cost ratio. The optimum treatment T 4, though gave higher yields, showed lower value- cost ratio due to the high cost of Ca fertilizer lime. Though 'systematic approach of fertilizer use' could be followed satisfactorily, the crop requirement also be taken into consideration in the case of heavy nutrient exhausting crops like banana. The insignificant effect of Ca on growth and yield of banana was also proved through this study.