Improving bunch grade of bananas
UNDER TRADITIONAL farming system, banana receives its last dose of fertilizers at 7th month after planting, that is just before shooting.
Any limitation in the nutrient supply during this crucial stage affects the bunch size and quality.
Hence an additional dose of fertilizer after shooting has become important.
However, it is not wise to go in for soil application of fertilizers during fruit development stage, since the uptake is slow and low.
Sulphate of potash
Scientists of the Department of Fruit Crops, Horticulture College & Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore carried out an experiment by using sulphate of potash (SOP) as post-shooting applicant to improve the bunch size and quality of major commercial cultivars such as Robusta, Rasthali, Neypoovan and Nendran.
Post-shooting spray of 1.5 per cent SOP, twice, once immediately after opening of the last hand and the second about 30 days after the first spray, produced heavier bunches in all the varieties.
Yield increase
SOP spray also increased the number of fruits per bunch, individual fruit weight and pulp:peel ratio.
It also helped produce better quality fruits by improving the total soluble solids and sugars, and non-sugar contents and altering the sugar:acid ratio of the varieties.
The average cost of cultivation per hectare was Rs. 2,000 while the additional net income per hectare was Rs. 18,000 in Robusta, Rs. 17,000 in Rasthali, Rs. 17,500 in Neypoovan and Rs. 16,000 in Nendran varieties.
DR. A. RAMESH KUMAR
& N. KUMAR
Horticulture College &Research Institute ,
Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore
Printer friendly
page
Send this article to Friends by
E-Mail
Sci Tech
