​Influence of Nutrient Sources on Chlorophyll Content and other Leaf Parameters of Banana Musa (AAB) Nendran

Abstract

Background: Chlorophyll is a green molecule found in plant cells that aids photosynthesis. It absorbs sunlight and converts the energy into carbohydrates using CO2 and water as a starting point. Chlorophyll ‘a’ and chlorophyll ‘b’ are the two forms of chlorophyll found in plants and each serves as a photoreceptor in photosynthesis, assuming higher electron transport, thus improving photochemical capacity. Methods: The present study was conducted at Banana Research Station, Kannara, Kerala Agricultural University, Thrissur, Kerala during 2017-2018 to elucidate the response of banana Musa (AAB) ‘Nendran’ in terms of growth, yield and quality to nutrient sources.Variation in leaf parameters, phyllochron and chlorophyll content in leaf tissue of banana raised with different nutrient sources was analysed. The amount of chlorophyll present in the leaves, is an indication of photosynthetic efficiency. Result: Highest Leaf Area Index (2.34) were recorded in T4 (integrated use of organic manures with biofertilzers practised). Highest amount of chlorophyll ‘a’ (1.20 mg), chlorophyll ‘b’ (1.62 mg), total chlorophyll (2.82 mg) and lowest phyllochron (7.33) were obtained in T8 (Fertigation with organic sources FYM @29 kg, lime @0.5 kg and wood ash @4 kg as basal; fertigation once in four days with 14 kg FYM till one month after bunch emergence+ in situ green manuring) which was followed T3 (POP recommendation of KAU with organic manures FYM @15kg + lime @0.5 kg as basal + Poultry manure @ 14 kg/plant + Wood ash @4kg/plant applied in two splits i.e. one as basal and one 3 MAP + in situ green manuring) at 150 days after planting. The results indicated that the manuring Nendran banana with organic manures had advantage over chemical fertilizers in term of chlorophyll production and increase in photosynthetic efficiency.