Effect of Saline Water Irrigation on Growth, Yield, Quality and Nutrition of Robusta Banana

Field experiment with Robusta banana on Udic Haplustalfs showed higher level of saline water irrigation reduced significantly the growth of banana and delayed flowering. Salinity of water had an adverse effect on finger weight and quality of banana. Nutrient concentration of N, K, Ca, Na, Mn, Fe and Cl in the leaves significantly varied due to use of saline water. Uptake of all the above elements along with S and Cu was reduced significantly at higher level of saline water irrigation. Reduced yield at higher salinity of water was mainly attributed for the decreased girth, number of leaves and also due to imbalance in the nutrition of N, K and Ca. Salinity threshold value of irrigation water at which 25 and 50 pet cent yield decrease was found to be 3.4 and 5.7 dS m⁻¹ respectively.