Bunch Feeding of Nitrogen (N) and Potassium (K) in Banana, cv. Barjahaji (Musa AAA group)
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Date
2017-07
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AAU, Jorhat
Abstract
The present investigation entitled “Bunch feeding of nitrogen and potassium in banana (Musa spp.) cv. Barjahaji” was carried out at the Experimental Farm, Department of Horticulture, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat during March 2015 to June 2016. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design and replicated thrice with nine treatments. The treatments comprised of T1 (500g fresh cowdung), T2 (500g fresh cowdung + 7.5g Urea), T3 (500g fresh cowdung + 7.5g KCl), T4 (500g fresh cowdung + 7.5g K2SO4), T5 (500g fresh cowdung + 7.5g KNO3), T6 (500g fresh cowdung + 7.5g Urea + 7.5g KCl), T7 (500g fresh cowdung + 7.5g Urea + 7.5g K2SO4), T8 (500g fresh cowdung + 7.5g Urea + 7.5g KNO3) and T9 (Control). The bunch attributes and quality parameters were studied. With respect to yield and yield attributing parameters, highest yield of (58.65 t ha-1), highest finger length (22.28 cm), finger girth (14.10 cm), volume of fingers (254.25 cc), weight of fingers (148.73 g), weight of second hand (4.00 kg), and bunch weight (19.00 kg), were observed with T7 (500g fresh cowdung + 7.5g Urea + 7.5g K2SO4). The highest pulp to peel ratio of 3.40 was recorded in T6 (500g fresh cowdung + 7.5g Urea + 7.5g KCl). Maximum rind thickness (3.56 mm) was observed in T3 (500g fresh cowdung + 7.5g KCl) and T5 (500g fresh cowdung + 7.5g KNO3) with regard to fruit quality parameters, less acidity (0.23), the highest total soluble solids (29.23 oBrix), total sugars (17.42%), reducing sugar (9.09%), and non-reducing sugar (8.33%), were observed in the treatment T7 (500g fresh cowdung + 7.5g Urea + 7.5g K2SO4). In respect to shelf life, bunch feeding with 500g fresh cowdung + 7.5g Urea + 7.5g K2SO4 had attained the highest shelf life (7.67 days). Bunch feeding of 500g fresh cowdung + 7.5g Urea + 7.5g K2SO4 was superior in terms of maximum gross returns (Rs. 169867.52 ha-1), net returns (416632.48 ha-1) and benefit cost ratio (2.45) were obtained. Hence bunch feeding of 500g fresh cowdung + 7.5g Urea + 7.5g K2SO4 can be recommended for banana cv. Barjahaji (AAA) for getting higher yields with best quality fruits of higher shelf life.