Improving production of saba, lakatan and latundan cultivar in different cropping systems: terminal report

The distinct advantage of the application of 100% recommended fertilizer was the earlier fruiting and harvest in Saba and Lakatan. However, despite the application of 100% RF [recommended fertilizer], nutrient levels in some of the sampled leaf tissues were deficient in one or more macronutrients. Efficient fertilizer application needs to be done to meet the critical level in the leaf tissues. A screen-house trial indicated that soil moisture of 30% was optimum for vegetative growth of Lakatan banana. At 25% moisture level, the plants were investing more on root growth and NPK was concentrated more on the roots and corm rather than being distributed to the shoots unlike in 30% MC [moisture content] treatment. Sucker development was also found influenced strongly by fertilizer management. In Lakatan cv. 100% RF produced more than twice as many suckers (12) compared with plants receiving 50% RF (5) at six months after transplanting. In 100% RF, the 80% of the total root biomass (30 cm depth and distance were in the suckers, compared to only 40% of the roots in suckers at 50% RF. Suckering of Saba regardless of treatment was lower than Lakatan. Fertilizer placement, timing, and application rate should complement water management and sucker control in Lakatan production so as not to compromise the potential yield of the mother plant. The sensitivity of Lakatan cultivar to a few weeks of neglect or chronic poor management need to be made clear to prospective growers. From the findings of the Project, a training material entitled 'Critical Growth Stages in Banana and their Implications in Good Production Management' has been developed and delivered in various capacitating activities of the Project and of other banana Projects espousing the S and T [science and technology]-based banana production. A protocol for nursery management of biofertilizer-inoculated tissue cultured banana was developed and delivered in various trainings of the Project and of other banana Projects espousing the S and T-based banana production. The effectivity of the bio-fertilizer inoculation at potting-out was validated by root colonization assessment done on-farm. In the potting mix trial, a combination of 1:1:2 sand: coconut: garden soil is the best alternative to using pure garden soil for banana TC [tissue culture] meriplants. The on-farm trials were struck by a number of typhoons at various stages of development, resulting to abandonment by some farmer-cooperators and early termination of these trials. In Latundan cv. two plants were observed to have fruited, despite the neglect in San Antonio, Quezon [Philippines], both plants treated with 25% RF and inoculated with either Mykoram or Bio-N. The improved tolerance of banana to environmental stress with biofertilizers was routinely reported by farmers who regularly buy these biofertilizers from BIOTECH, UPLB. In Saba cv., biomass partitioning of representative sample plants at harvest presented a different yield trend compared with the yield data provided by the farmers. The yield advantage of 100% RF over the other treatments ranged from 44-49 fingers and 3.2-7.8 Kg of fruits. Based on target yield of 25% more yield, the result was variable across farms with 3 farms in 100% RF while only one farm in 25% RF+bf exceeding the target. Adoption of the 100% RF in Saba banana may not be very attractive for resource-limited farmers, considering the long juvenile period and the apparently large influence of other bio-physical and management factors. The use of BF-inoculated TC banana plantlets, coupled with other good production management such as plantation-type planting system, sucker control and field sanitation could be an alternative to lower input technology that can significantly improve the productivity of Saba.