Growth and productivity of Robusta banana under nitrogen and potassium fertigation

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted at IIHR, Bangalore to study the growth and productivity of banana cv. Robusta under nitrogen and potassium fertigation. The findings are summarized hereunder. The fruit yield of 88.46 t/ha was obtained with 200 g of N and K and was on par with 150 g of N and K (85.66 t/ha). The lower yield of 78.19 t/ha and 56.39 t/ha were obtained with 100 g N and K and 50 g of N and K respectively. The yield attributing parameters like hand per bunch (7.43), fingers per bunch (96.02), average finger weight (207.37 g) and average bunch weight (19.90 kg) were higher with 200 g of N and K. The maximum leaf dry matter (1258 g), pseudostem dry matter (1122 g), fruit dry matter (2010 g) and total dry matter (4390 g) were obtained with 200 g of N and K. The leaf dry matter (1207 g) and pseudostem dry matter (1031 g) were higher with 150 g of N and K which were on par with 200 g of N and K. However, leaf dry matter, pseudostem dry matter and total dry matter were not influenced much by N and K ratios. But 1:2 N and K ratio recorded maximum leaf dry matter (1116 g), pseudostem dry matter (974 g), fruit dry matter (1780 g) and total dry matter (3859 g). The bunch dry matter (r=0.995**), total dry matter (r=0.937**), stem dry matter (r=0.833**) and leaf dry matter (r=0.722**) were highly correlated with fruit yield. The quality parameters such as total soluble solids (TSS) and pulp to peel ratio were improved by N and K fertigation. Higher total soluble solids (24.01%) was recorded with 200 g of N and K which was on par with 150 g of N and K (24%). Whereas 23.25% and 22.50% TSS were recorded with 100 g of N and K and 50 g of N and K. application of 1:2 N and K ratio recorded higher TSS (24.4%) in fruit compared to 1:1 N and K ratio (23.68%). Higher net returns (Rs.3,88,568.00 per ha) was recorded with 200 g of N and K, while higher profit per rupee invested (Rs. 2.82) was with 150 g of N and K. Further, 1:2 N and K ratio obtained higher net returns (Rs. 3, 43,551.00 per ha) and profit per rupee invested (Rs. 2.59). 28