Response of Micronutrient Mixture Application in Banana for Enhanced Growth and Yield

Banana is one of the most preferred crop gaining popularity in Kerala. Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Kollam conducted an experiment for assessing the effect of foliar and soil application of micronutrient mixtures in banana for yield enhancement. The trial was replicated at ten farmer's field. Different treatments were T₁-Farmers practice, T₂-(recommended dose of fertilizers as per package of practices (190: 115: 300g NPK/plant/yr) along with Sampoorna KAU multimix at the rate of 10 g/l at 2, 4, 6 and 8 m after planting and T₃-(recommended dose of fertilizers (190: 115: 300g NPK/plant/yr) along with Ayarat at rate of 100 g/plant at 2 and 4 m after planting. The results revealed that soil application of Ayar along with recommended dose of fertilizers resulted in 12.6 per cent yield increase than the foliar application of Sampoorna KAU multimix in banana. Highest yield of 20.6 t/ha was reported from Ayar application in banana followed by Sampoorna KAU multimix (18.3 t/ha) while lowest yield was from farmers practice (14.8t/ha). Farmers practice reported highest pest incidence of 15.6 per cent, followed by application of Sampoorna KAU multimix (6.3%), while least pest incidence was reported in ayar application (4.1%). Highest BC ratio of 1.94 was noticed in Ayar applied banana followed by 1.71 in Sampoorna KAU multimix application, while least BC ratio of 1.40 from farmers practice.