Division of Fruit Crops, Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Hessaraghatta Lake Post, Bangalore 560 089
* Department of Agronomy, GKVK, Bangalore 560 065
The growth, yield and nutrient uptake of banana to N and K fertigation and their ratios were studied. The plant height, stem girth and number of functional leaves increased with ontogeny of the crop and with increase in N and K fertigation up to 200 g/plant. However, differences beyond 100 g were not significant. The leaf area index (LAI) reached a peak 270 days after planting (DAP) and declined later. The LAI increased significantly with the application of 150 g N and K fertigation. However, leaf area duration (LAD) increased gradually up to harvesting and with 150 g N and K fertigation. The fruit yield and yield components increased markedly up to 150 g of N and K fertigation. The N uptake was highest with leaves followed by fruits and stems. The P uptake was highest in fruits followed by stems and leaves, whereas K uptake was higher in fruits followed by leaves and stems. Increase in N and K ratios had no influence on most of the growth and yield parameters as well as nutrient uptake.
