Temperature influences the distribution of some nutrients in young banana plants independently of its effect on dry matter

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The distribution of N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Na, Cl, Mn, Cu, Zn, Fe and B among parts of vegetative banana plants well supplied with nutrients was examined in plants grown for 12 weeks under 6 temperature regimes ranging from 17 10 °C to 37 37 °C (day/night). As temperature increased, the proportion of dry matter in the leaves increased from 20 to over 50% at the expense of the corm and roots. The proportion of dry matter in the pseudostem was relatively less affected, being 20–25% of the whole plant dry weight under all temperature regimes. Changes in the ratio of C o C w (concentration of nutrient in the organ/concentration in the whole plant) with temperature showed that the distribution of N, P, K, Mg, Cl and Cu closely followed changes in the distribution of dry matter, whereas the distribution of Ca, Na, Mn, Zn, Fe and B within the plant was not so linked. Higher temperature increased the C o C w ratio in corm and pseudostem and decreased it in the roots. Nutrients in the leaves were least affected. The magnitude of the change depended on the nutrient and organ involved, varying from no significant change for Cu and Zn in the leaves to more than a 2-fold decrease of Cl in the roots. The stability of C o C w in the leaves means that they are more suitable than other organs for use in assessing whole-plant nutrient status.