Nitrogen and potassium fertilization of banana (Musa sp. cv. 'umalag') on a matina sandy clay loam [Philippines]
1986
Fabregar, E.T. Jr.
Although some favorable effects on pseudostem girth, number of functional leaves at shooting, hands per bunch and buchweight were evident at lower rates of nitrogen and potassium, these were not significant. At zero nitrogen, pseudostem girth, hand/bunch and bunchweight increased with increasing rates of potassium application up to 800 kg/ha/yr. Application of high rates of both nitrogen and potassium i.e. 800 kg/ha/yr reduced these parameters probably due to the effect of high salt concentration in the soil. Days hanging was significantly lengthened by nitrogen application up to 800 kg/ha/yr. Potassium tended to counteract this effect of nitrogen but only at 0 to 200 kg N/ha/yr. Gross yields in the first crop were higher at 200 kg N/ha/yr alone or with 200 kg/ha/yr and at 400 kg N/ha/yr with 400 kg K/ha/yr. Significant yield increase due to nitrogen was obtained at 400 kg/ha/yr alone or1553 with 200 kg K/ha/yr in the second crop. At the present soil fertility level of a Matina sandy clay loam, 'Umalag' would require these amounts of nitrogen and potassium starting in the first crop to obtain high yields in the second crop. Small fingers in the last hand were negatively associated with high rates of nitrogen application with r = -0.515. Total soluble solids was positively correlated with potassium fertilization (r = 0.253). Although not significant, high rates of potassium reduced sugar contents and acidity of the ripe fruits. Effect of nitrogen and potassium on shelf life of ripe fruit was not evident. Nitrogen application reduced soil pH and built up total N to 0.16%. Exchangeable K markedly increased with potassium fertilization while exchangeable Ca and Mg declined. Only the influence of nitrogen fertilization on the concentrations of N, Ca and Mg in the third leaf at shooting was signific
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