Effect of silicon on banana performance (Musa spp.) and control of black sigatoka

Abstract

In Peru, the plantain or banana is the most important cultivated fruit. In Tumbes 5,000 hectares are cultivated, part of these areas is found in the Zarumilla valley. One of the phytosanitary problems is the black sigatoka (Micosphaerella fijiensis Morelet), which decreases the leaf area of the plantations, with effects on yields. The objective was to evaluate the effect of three doses of Silicon on the yield and control parameters of the aforementioned disease in Musa spp., under field conditions, in said valley. The experimental design used was completely randomized blocks (BCA). According to the studies carried out, it was concluded that, in the performance parameters, silicon did not show an effect on the circumference of the pseudostem, leaf area, the number of hands per bunch and bunch weight, but there were effects on the number of leaves. at the time of flowering, at the time of harvest and in the weight of banana fingers. Regarding the effect of silicon in the control of "black sigatoka", it was possible to reduce the damage index by 17.66% in the S3 treatment (150 kg/ha) in comparison with the control (0 kg/ha) that was obtained 28.22%.