Maximisation of productivity by rescheduling the nutrient application in banana

Abstract

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 thevegetative 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 380:115:600g 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, itwas 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.