Effect of different nutrient levels on growth and development of tissue cultured banana cv. Robusta (AAA)

A field experiment was conducted to assess the effect of different fertilizer levels and number of splits on tissue cultured banana cv. Robusta. The experiment was laid out in RBD with six treatments each replicated four times. The experiments consisted of application of 100, 150 and 200 per cent of recommended NPK (110:35:330 g plant⁻¹) in three and four splits respectively in each levels. There was a positive response in plant growth in terms of height and girth to nutrient application. Application of NPK @ 165:52.5:495 g plant⁻¹ in four splits (T₄) recorded better growth of the tissue cultured plants followed by T₃ (165:52.5:495 g NPK plant⁻¹) in three splits. Higher number of functional leaves at shooting stage with shorter phyllochron, greater leaf area and leaf area index coupled with reduced crop duration were recorded with the application of N @ 165 g, P @ 52.5 g and K @ 495 g plant⁻¹ given at four split doses. The treatment recorded better physiological activities in terms of total chlorophyll content, soluble protein and nitrate reductase activity. Economic characters like bunch weight, number of hands, number of fingers and finger weight were also maximum in the treatment T₄ 165:52.5:495 g NPK plant⁻¹ in four splits.