RESPONSE OF TISSUE CULTURED BANANA (Musa acuminate L.) cv. GRAND NAINE TO DIFFERENT LEVELS OF NUTRIENTS UNDER DRIP FERTIGATION AND BLACK PLASTIC MULCH

Abstract

Abstract.A field experiment was carried out in two crop seasons in the lateritic sandy loam soils of Kharagpur, West Bengal, India, to investigate the response of banana (Musa acuminata L.) cv. Grand Naine at different levels of nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium nutrients applications through drip fertigation and plastic mulch. A randomized complete block design was used with four fertigation levels in conjunction with mulch and without mulch. Fertigation levels caused a significant increase in fruit yield and determined the response to N, P and K fertilizers. The results of recommended dose of fertilizers application through drip either alone or in conjunction with black plastic mulch conditions were compared with other fertigation treatments in terms of growth and crop of yield. Both the main and ratoon crops performed best for 80 per cent of the recommended fertigation dose (160 N: 48 P: 240 kg plant -1 year -1 ) covered with plastic mulch in respect of (a) growth parameters; maximum plant height, stem girth, functional leaves, yield parameters and shortened total crop duration for 34 days and for (b) quality parameters; higher levels of TSS, reducing sugar and non-reducing sugar, pulp:peel ratio and lower content of acidity . Hence, fertigation with 80 per cent of the recommended dose coupled with plastic mulch was found to be optimum and economical for banana cultivation.

Yield and postharvest of ‘BRS Platina’ banana not irrigated under different types of soil mulches

“…Helaly et al (2017) observed an increase in plant length, stem diameter and leaf area of husk tomato (Physalis pubescens L.) plants, using black plastic film and white and black compared to the bare soil. Santosh et al (2017) concluded that the treatment 80% of fertilizer requirement application through drip and plastic mulch performed well in respect of growth parameters, maximum plant height, pseudostem girth of banana 'Grand Naine' . According to Chaurasia and Sachan (2020), the black plastic film and the organic mulch provided higher values for plant height and collar diameter than control of squash (Cucurbita pepo L.).…”

“…This was not observed in this work, but Helaly et al (2017) observed increase in diameter, length, soluble solids and titratable acidity of husk tomato (P. pubescens L.) fruits, cultivated using black plastic film and white and black compared to the bare soil. Santosh et al (2017) concluded that the treatment with 80% of fertilizer requirement application through drip and plastic mulch provided higher levels of soluble solids but a lower titratable acidity of fruits of banana 'Grand Naine' . Eid and El-Kholy (2018) observed an increase in length and diameter of banana fruits 'Williams' , cultivated using black plastic film and organic mulch (banana leaves) under irrigation.…”