Effect of Split Application of N and K Fertilizer and Bagging on the Growth, Yield and Post-Harvest Quality of Banana

Abstract

Abstract

The experiment was conducted at the Regional Agricultural Research Station, Jamalpur Bangladesh from January, 2013 to December, 2013. The effect of split application of N and K as well as bagging was considered on growth and yield of banana. The treatments were—Factor-A: Split application of N and K: T₁=2-split (2 months after planting+at shooting); T₂=3-split (2 months after planting+3.5 months after planting+at shooting); T₃=4-split (2 months after planting+3.5 months after planting+5 months after planting+at shooting); and T₄=BARI Recommended dose and application method (CD-17.50 kg, TSP-325 g, MOP-275 g and Urea-575 g  per plant); and Factor-B: Bagging: B₁=Bagging with white polythene, B₂=Bagging with blue coloured polythene, B₃=Without bagging. The highest plant height (2.12 m) was obtained from T₁B₂ and the lowest (1.81 m) from T₄B_3. Days from planting to harvesting were found minimum (286.38 days) in the treatment combination of T₁B₃ while maximum in the treatment combination T₄B₃ (314 days). The highest bunch weight was recorded in T₂B₃ (20.12 kg) and the lowest in the treatment combination T₄B₃ (12.62 kg). The number of finger per hand was noted the highest (15.77) in T₃B₂ which was at par to those of T₃B₁ (15.73), T₃B₃ (15.38), T₂B₁ (15.27) and T₄B₁ (15.23) treatment combinations and minimum number of fingers/hand (13.10) was found in T₄B₁. The highest weight of individual hand (2.01 kg) was exhibited in T₃B₁. Four split application of N and K fertilizer combined with either white colour or blue colour polythene bagging gave higher yields of 46.36 t/ha and 44.73 t/ha, respectively as compared to existing BARI recommended dose and method along with no bagging. Higher shelf life (5.38 days) was found in T₂B₁ treatment combination. Under bagging (both white and colored polythene bag) only 4.10–4.54% of banana fruit was infested by banana leaf and fruit weevil. On the other hand, 91.59% of fruits were infested by banana leaf and fruit weevil without bagging condition. Bagging is essential to prevent fruit losses from insect and for quality improvement. So, four split applications of recommended dose of N and K (2 months after planting + 3.5 months after planting + 5 months after planting + at shooting) and bagged with white or colored polythene bags after bunch opening for the quality banana cultivation.

Keywords: Split application of N and K fertilizer, bagging, growth, yield, postharvest quality

Cite this Article

Rahman H, Akter A, Rahman J. Effect of Split Application of N and K Fertilizer and Bagging on the Growth, Yield and Post-Harvest Quality of Banana. Research & Reviews: Journal of Crop Science and Technology. 2017; 6(1): 22–32p.