Effects of Different Potassium Supply Levels on Potassium Fertilizer of Bananas under Drip Irrigation

HighlightsThe effects of different potassium levels on banana production were investigated under drip irrigation.The most economical and rational potassium level for Brazil 118 was recommended to be 675 kg/ha.Fertilization plays an important role in improving the potassium fertilizer efficiency of bananas.Abstract.Applying potassium with water is an effective way to meet the potassium needs of banana and improve the utilization efficiency of potassium fertilizer. This paper aims to explore the fertilizer effect of different potassium levels on banana production under drip irrigation to provide a theoretical basis for the efficient and rational utilization of potassium fertilizer in banana production. Brazilian banana was used in the field experiment in this study. Under the condition of applying nitrogen fertilizer (N 750 kg/ha) and phosphate fertilizer (P2O5 450 kg/ha), five potassium supply levels of CK (without potassium fertilizer), K1 (K2O 225 kg/ha), K2 (450 kg/ha), K3 (675 kg/ha), and K4 (900 kg/ha) were employed to study the effects of drip irrigation on banana yield, fruit quality and economic benefits. The results showed that drip irrigation with potassium application could significantly increase the pseudo-stem diameter, fruits per comb, and green leaves of bananas (P<0.05). The banana yield with K3 treatment was 45.11 t/ha, which was 73.97%, 37.87%, 11.11%, and 5.67% higher than those with CK, K1, K2, and K4, respectively. The net cash income with K3 treatment was 122400 Chinese yuan/ha, increased by 57.32% compared with the CK treatment, and the output/input ratio increased from 1.41:1 to 3.11:1. Considering the increasing yield and economic benefits of bananas, application of drip irrigation coupled with the optimized potassium dosage (K2O 675 kg/ha) could achieve the highest banana production. Keywords: Banana, Drip irrigation, Economic benefit, Fruit quality, Potassium application level.