Superabsorbent polymers and seaweed-based foliar fertilizers enhanced growth of lakatan
2017
Temanel, B.E. | Temanel, F.B. | Ramos, H.A | Bartolome, C.A. | Dela Cruz, P.M.V. | Ramirez, J.S.; | Pascual, C.K.B. | Sacayanan, A.D.S.
Tissue culture of banana has successfully produced pest and disease-free planting materials. However, its sensitivity to soil fertility on natural conditions poses a risk on crop establishment and increases it vulnerability to soil-borne pests and diseases. This study evaluated the effects of superabsorbent polymers (SAP) and seaweed based foliar fertilizer on the growth of tissue-cultured (TC) Lakatan variety, specifically on its plant height (cm), pseudostem girth (cm), number of leaves and leaf area (sq.cm). Seventy-two meriplants which were 4cm tall were incubated in hardening chambers for three weeks prior to transplanting to individual pots. The pots were laid out as a factorial in randomized complete black design in three replications. The treatments used a commercially available SAP applied in 1g/kg of soil, a new set of diaper polymers applied in 6g, and three types of foliar fertilizers applied every week in 23 mL/L, 10 mL/L and 5mL/L. No SAP and foliar fertilizer were applied for the control treatment. The growth parameters were observed and recorded every 15 days after transplanting until the 60th day. Application of SAP and foliar fertilizer showed significant increase in plant height and pseudostem girth but had no effect on the number of leaves and leaf area. The interaction between SAP an foliar fertilizer revealed no effect on the growth of the plantlets. Results suggested that application of SAP and foliar fertilizer have an effect on the establishment of TC Lakatan plantlets, particularly on increasing plant height and pseudostem girth under nursery conditions.
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