Uptake and Distribution of Nutrients by Robusta Banana Propagated through Suckers and Tissue Culture

The uptake of nutrients by Robusta banana grown on Aquic Haplustalf and propagated through suckers and tissue culture was compared in a field experiment. The uptake of nutrients was higher for sucker grown plants compared with tissue cultured plants due to greater accumulation of dry matter by the former, at 3 months, 5 months and at pre-bloom stages. Leaves were the greatest repository of N, and stem for P and K both in sucker and tissue culture propagated plants. The uptake of nutrients and their distribution are reported and discussed.