Abstract
The present work aimed to evaluate quantitative and qualitative aspects of the initial productivity of the ‘BRS Tropical’ banana under different levels of potassium fertilization and irrigation volumes. The tests were arranged in four randomized blocks, which were consisted of a 5x5 factorial design, in slit-plot design. These plots were formed by fve different applied volumes of water in liters per pit (1090 – 2177 – 4300 – 6540 – 8720), which were equivalent to the amount of irrigation of water of 121 mm, 242 mm, 478 mm, 727 mm and 969 mm regarding the range of 9 m2 for each pit. The subplots were formed by fve levels of potassium in Kg.ha-1 (0 – 167 – 334 – 500 – 667). Both volumes of irrigation and levels of potassium were provided during the years of 2013 and 2014. The variables analyzed were for productivity, number of bunches per ha, number of hands per bunches, number of bananas per bunch, number of bananas per hand, average fruit weight, average length and diameter of the banana, the ratio between diameter and length and average pulp consistency. The doses of 500 Kg.ha-1 of K2O and 6,540 liters of water per pit provided the highest productivity (11,752 Kg.ha-1). The volumes of water were only statistically signifcant to the mass of fruit, as well as its length and diameter. The potassium application required caution, because excessive doses of potassium are harmful to productivity and quality of the fruit.
Highlights
The banana (Musa spp.) is the most consumed fruit in the world, and in Brazil each inhabitant consumes up to 31kg each year
The results evaluated were productivity (PD) in kg.ha-1, obtained from the hand mass; number of hands (NC); number of hands per bunch (NPC); number of fingers per bunch (NBC); number of fingers per hand (NBP); average mass of the fruit (MMF), in grams; average length of the fruit (CMF), in mm; average diameter of the fruit (DMF), in mm; relation length diameter (CD) and the firmness of the pulp (FP), in kPa
To facilitate the visualization of the variable answers obtained in relation to production parameters, doses of irrigation per pit and doses of potassium per hectare, Table 2 was organized in which the biggest productivity can be seen to be 11.752 kg.ha-1, corresponding to the dose of 500 kg.ha-1 of K2O and 6.540 liters of water per pit
Summary
The banana (Musa spp.) is the most consumed fruit in the world, and in Brazil each inhabitant consumes up to 31kg each year. India is the main world producer, producing 27.6 million tons. Brazil is the 4th world producer, producing 6.9 million tons. Despite the huge volume of production, the Brazilian productivity is low, leaving the country in the 57th position in the world ranking for productivity (FAO 2013). In Brazil, the apple banana is the most valued kind of banana in the market; it is the most susceptible to the Panama disease (LEONEL & DAMATTO JÚNIOR 2007). Embrapa Mandioca e Fruticultura experimental station launched a BRS Tropical Hybrid, originated from the diploid hybrid M53 and from the Yangambi Variety no
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
