Growth, yield and nutrient uptake of Robusta banana in relation to N and K fertigation

摘要

Adoption of drip irrigation and use of water-soluble fertilizers through drip irrigation are recent developments in banana production in India. Owing to beneficial effects of drip irrigation in banana, an optimum irrigation, schedule of banana has been worked out (Hegde and Srinivas, 3). Under drip irrigation, only a portion of soil volume around each plant is wetted and thus traditional methods of fertilizer application is ineffective. The limited Foot zone and reduced amount of mineralization inrestricted wetted zone are main reasons for the reduced nutrient availability to the plants (Magen, 5). One of the major advantages of fertigation is that it permits timely application of nutrients directly to root zone, reducing leaching losses and increasing the fertilizer-use efficiency (Rolston et al., 9). Banana responds positively to liberal application of water and nutrients (Holder and Gumbs, 4). But nutrient needs of banana through fertigation especially the increased need for K during post-flowering period are yet to be clearly defined. The present investigation was aimed at analyzing the drymatter accumulation pattern, productivity and nutrient uptake of Robusta banana in relation to N and K fertigation.