Grand Naine Research Articles

Genetic analysis of banana cultivars and fidelity testing in somatic embryo derived Ney poovan (Elakki bale) using SRAP (sequence related amplification polymorphism).

Abstract Bananas and plantains are a major staple food in many countries. In the current study, the genetic variability of ten banana cultivars (i.e., Grand naine, Monthan, Nendran, Ney poovan, Rasthali, Robusta, Red banana, Kadali, Musa balbisiana , Calcutta 4) were analyzed using SRAP. SRAP amplification resulted in a total of 6028 strong, clear, and reproducible bands from 10 cultivars using 13 forward and 16 reverse SRAP primers (208 SRAP primer combinations), Of 6028 bands 96.77% were polymorphic and 3.221% were monomorphism. In addition, the fidelity testing of plants derived from somatic embryo was carried out. The 24 SRAP primers were employed for DNA analysis which produced a total of 153 clear, distinct and reproducible amplicons of variable size. Out of 24 SRAP primers, 9 primers produced amplification patterns which are identical between the mother plants and plants derived from somatic embryogenesis. Cluster analysis depicted more than 95% genetic similarity between the somatic embryogenesis derived plants and the mother plants indicating a high degree of genetic fidelity.

Pathogenicity and Molecular Analysis of Fusarium Isolates in Nendran and Grand Naine

Fusarium wilt, a devastating disease, poses a significant global threat to the banana industry. This study is aimed to assess the host susceptibility and pathogenicity of Fusarium isolates in tissue-cultured Nendran and Grand Naine banana varieties. Eight isolates were acquired from the Department of Plant Biotechnology at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore. Among the eight isolates tested, S-6, S-32G, S-56 and S-67 produced disease symptoms in both Nendran and Grand Naine varieties. Subsequently, the pathogen was reisolated from infected tissues displaying vascular discoloration. While the isolate S-6 produced 66.67% of disease incidence in both the varieties, S-32G, S-56 and S-67 produced 100% disease incidence in Nendran and Grand Naine. Molecular analysis confirmed the presence of the Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. cubense pathogen, with an amplicon observed at 260 bp. Furthermore, non-pathogenic isolates may potentially exert direct or indirect effects on pathogenic strains, offering prospects for disease control.

INDUKSI TUNAS PADA DUA VARIETAS PISANG (Musa acuminata C.) TERHADAP LAMA PENGGELAPAN SECARA IN VITRO

A sufficient supply of healthy plants must be provided to balance the rising demand for bananas. A technique that can be used for propagation is tissue culture. Environmental factors and a variety of types are factors that affect explant growth. This research aimed to determine the effect of darkening duration on the growth of two banana (Musa sp.) varieties in vitro. In this study, a Factorial Randomized Block Design was implemented, considering two elements, namely the variety of bananas and the duration of darkening. The research showed that the time of shoot emergence started at 1.83 WAP in Cavendish grand naine treatment without darkening. The type of variety treatment had a significant effect on the number of leaves, and the best variety was Cavendish grand naine. The darkening duration treatment with four weeks of darkening increased shoot height significantly. An interaction between these two factors was observed in the number of shoots, shoot height, and number of leaves.

Effect of covering materials and bunch feeding on yield attributes of banana (Musa paradisiaca L.) cv. Grand Naine

Effect of covering materials and bunch feeding on yield attributes of banana (Musa paradisiaca L.) cv. Grand Naine

Assessment of radiation sensitivity and regeneration in shoot tip culture of banana cv. Grand Naine

An investigation was carried out to initiate in vitro mutagenesis in banana cv. Grand Naine shoot tip culture. Based on the sensitivity of explants, the lethal dose was estimated using probit analysis. The LD50 dose of gamma irradiation of the banana shoot tip culture was determined to be 39.5 Gy. It was also discovered that the number of new shoots rose with the number of subculture days, with the largest number of shoots recorded at 40 Gy. The study also discovered that when 13 DAS explants were treated with 10 Gy, they recovered the greatest number of shoots. As a result of the negative effects of higher doses of irradiation, it was decided that determining the lethal dose can be very beneficial in reducing population loss. Its further optimization may be effective in developing significant variations with a certain trait of interest.

Effect of Plant Nutrients on Fruit Yield and Quality of Cavendish Banana (Musa sp.) cv. ‘Grand Naine’

A field experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of plant nutrients on yield and fruit quality of ‘Grand Naine’ banana under alkaline soil conditions for the two cropping seasons 2020-2021 and 2021-2022 at Directorate of Agricultural Research (DoAR), Khajura. The trial was laid out in a randomized complete block design consisting of seven treatments replicated three times having four plants in an experimental plot. Planting of tissue culture banana was done at 2×2 m spacing on 4th July 2020 and suckers selected from the same plant on the same date were taken as the first ratoon crop. Farmyard manure was applied at four, chemical fertilizers at six, and micronutrients at three installments. The pooled results revealed that the longest bunch (114.30 cm), the highest number of hands (10.08) and finger number per bunch (185.80) and second hand (21.50), the heaviest bunch (25.74 kg) and second-hand weight (3.28 kg), the highest finger length (21.08 cm), diameter (3.85 cm) and weight (156.20 g) and bunch yield (64.35 mt/ha), the highest TSS (20.20%), TSS: TA ratio (47.10) and total sugar (12.55%) and the lowest TA (0.43%) were registered in T3 (20 kg FYM, 250:250:350 g NPK along with foliar spray of four types of micronutrients viz. Zn, Fe, Cu and B at 3rd 5th and 7th months of planting. Hence, from the study banana growers are recommended to use FYM, chemical fertilizers along with a foliar spray of micronutrients, at least three times in the vegetative growth stage of bananas for higher yield and improved quality of fruits.

Secondary metabolite induced tolerance to Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. cubense TR4 in banana cv. Grand Naine through in vitro bio-immunization: a prospective research translation from induction to field tolerance

An innovative tissue culture mediated incorporation of metabolite-based biomolecule (Bio-immune) at in vitro stage itself in banana cv. Grand Naine was developed and validated for the production of Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. cubense TR4 tolerant plantlets. The novel bio-immune formulation developed by us, exhibited a significant antifungal potency against Foc TR4 with a high percent inhibition (100%) at a 2.5% concentration of bio-immune on the 5th, 7th, and 9th DAI. Bio-immune integrated during in vitro shoot proliferation stage in banana cv. Grand Naine recorded significant enhancement in the growth of roots and shoots. Bio-immune (0.5%) fortified media produced 12.67 shoots per clump whereas control registered only 9.67 shoots per clump. Similarly, maximum root numbers (7.67) were observed in bio-immune plants which were significantly higher over control (5.0). The bio-immunized banana transplants recorded a higher survival rate (97.57%) during acclimatization as compared to the control (94.53%). Furthermore, evaluation of the bio-immunized plants in pot experiments revealed that unimmunized plants treated with FocTR4 (TF) exhibited mortality between 60 and 90 days. On the 90th day after planting, a high mean disease severity index (DSI) of 3.45 was observed with unimmunized plantlets while the bio-immunized plants (TFBI) and ICAR-FUSICONT treated plants (TFTR) showed substantially reduced DSI (0.20 and 1.00) compared to FocTR4 treated control (TF). Significant increases in polyphenol oxidase (PPO), peroxidase (POD), β-1,3-glucanase, phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL), chitinase activities, and enhanced phenol contents were recorded in bio-immunized plants compared to unimmunized plants. Field experiments at two different locations in Bihar, India revealed that bunch weight, no. of hands/bunch, and no. of fingers/hand of bio-immune treated plants were significantly higher compared to the control.

Comparison of Temporary Immersion Bioreactor (SETISTM) and Classical Solid Culture in Micropropagation of ‘Grand Naine’ (Musa spp.) Banana Cultivar

Banana is an important nutritional source for millions of people because it contains protein, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals. Therefore, the need for banana production is increasing day by day. Various methods are being developed to meet this need. Among these methods, biotechnological applications are becoming more prevalent over time. In micropropagation of in vitro plantlets, which forms the basis of banana production and is one of the most important stages, the methods used and banana varieties must be selected correctly. Therefore, it is very important to decide which protocol is suitable for which variety. In TIBs, in vitro micropropagation and rooting were compared with solid culture by adjusting the frequency of immersion of in vitro plantlets into the nutrient medium and the contact time of nutrients to the plantlets in the immersion medium. It was determined that the TIB application was more successful than the solid medium experiment in many aspects, especially the micropropagation rate (4.20) and rooting rate (84%).

Evaluate the Effect of Different Packaging Materials on the Shelf Life and Quality of Banana Fruit

The experiment was carried out to determine the impact of shelf life on banana cv. grand naine under various packing materials during storage for the current study in the Department of Horticulture lab at ITMU from October to December 2022. In this experiment, low-density polybags and black newspaper bags were employed as packing materials. paper bag, cardboard gunny bag high-density polybag white paddy straw with banana leaves Banana samples were taken at intervals of four days after each treatment to test a range of biological and physical traits, including pH, physiological weight, and peel colour. As these values were given for the analyses of variance and ANNOVA, the treatment group showed the greatest physiological weight reduction as compared to the control group; however, the Treatment T6 high-density white polybag showed the lowest physiological weight loss and the most appealing colour. is recorded in the treatment T6 high-density white polybag, whereas the peel's least yellow hue is observed throughout treatment to regulate the highest total soluble solid brix value was recorded in Treatment T1 low-density black polybag, and the minimum values recorded for these parameters are found in Treatment T0 control, while the maximum ph value was recorded in Treatment T7 banana leaf and the minimum ph value was noted in Treatment T0 control. According to the observational data, the banana fruit's pH rose as it ripened, further from the present experimental findings. The best packaging material suitable for the enhancement of shelf life and maintenance of visual appearance and quality for bananas is low-density black polythene Treatment T1.

Modern Approaches to In Vitro Clonal Banana Production: Next-Generation Tissue Culture Systems

In this study, the solid culture method, and Plantform™ and SETIS™ temporary immersion bioreactor systems were used comparatively to propagate, root, and acclimatize ‘Grande Naine’ and ‘Azman’ banana varieties for rapid, cheap, and mass production in in vitro conditions. Micropropagation rate, plant height, number of leaves, and fresh and dry weight parameters were investigated in the micropropagation stage across eight subcultures. Rooting rate, plant height, number of leaves, number of roots/plant, root length, fresh and dry weight parameters were investigated in the rooting stage. Photosynthetic pigment analyses and stoma examinations were performed throughout all stages. In the micropropagation stage, a 20% increase in the Plantform™ system, a 12% increase in the SETIS™ system in ‘Grande Naine’, an 82% increase in the Plantform™ system, and a 98% increase in SETIS™ system in ‘Azman’ were determined compared to the solid culture. At the rooting stage, higher data were obtained from bioreactor systems than solid culture. Plants from bioreactor systems acclimatized faster and developed healthier in the greenhouse stage. It was determined that stomata were more active, and pigment accumulation was higher in bioreactor systems. Genetic variations across subcultures are among the most critical issues in banana clonal propagation. Leaf samples were taken from each system, and plant variation was investigated using SSR (Simple Sequence Repeat) markers. No variation was observed from the initial stage to the greenhouse stage. As a result, it has been determined that bioreactor systems are an essential alternative for the mass production of bananas.

Ripening dependent changes in skin color, physicochemical attributes, in-vitro glycemic response and volatile profiling of banana varieties

The colour of banana skin significantly influences purchasing and consumption choices. Though a ripening stage-dependent colour chart is available for the var. Grand Naine, such information are meagerly documented for other traditional varieties Rasthali, Poovan, Karpuravalli, Ney Poovan. Furthermore, investigations into glycemic response and volatile compound markers of these varieties have remained elusive. In this study, we identified more than eight distinct ripening stages these varieties. Notably, unlike the Grand Naine, the var. Ney Poovan and Karpuravalli varieties exhibited the retention of firmness even after progressive ripening to the 7–8 stages, rendering them suitable for more days of consumption. A comprehensive analysis, including a heat-map, unveiled the intricate correlations between skin colour and texture attributes, underscoring the interplay between visual appearance and fruit quality. Irrespective of varieties, sugar to acid ratio enhanced considerably over the ripening stages coupled with increase in physiological loss in weight and pulp-peel ratio. The estimated glycemic index (e-GI) values for Karpuravalli (65%) and Rasthali (67%) was higher at Stage 4, whereas the varieties like Ney Poovan and Grand Naine recorded lower GI values. GC-MS analyses at various ripening stages revealed a prevalence of esters and a concurrent reduction in unsaturated aldehydes, during the ripening, implying their pivotal role in aroma development. Besides, principal component analysis of volatile compounds at ripe stages underscored the distinctive aromatic profiles exhibited by Ney Poovan and Rasthali, setting them apart from other banana varieties.

Post-shooting sprays of nutrients for improving fruit quality, antioxidant properties and shelf-life in banana (Musa sp.)

An experiment was conducted during 2018–21 at the research farms of Kittur Rani Channamma College of Horticulture (University of Horticultural Sciences, Bagalkot, Karnataka), Arabhavi, Karnataka to study the effect of post-shooting sprays of nutrients for improving fruit quality, antioxidant properties and shelf-life in banana (Musa sp.). Effects of potassium sulphate (SOP) @20 g/L and micro-nutrients, viz. customised micronutrient mix Arka Banana SpecialTM @5 g/L, zinc sulphate @1 g/L, boric acid @ 2 g/L, ferrous sulphate- EDTA @3 g/L and copper sulphate @2 g/L sprays in different combinations imposed at post-shooting stage were evaluated in terms of fruit quality and shelf-life after ripening in banana cv. Grand Naine. Treatment comprising of SOP @20 g/L and Arka Banana SpecialTM @5 g/L improved pulp TSS (22.300B), TSS: TA ratio (71.26), fruit firmness (5.16 lb), MSI (18.12%) and peroxidase (POD) activity (15.98ΔA470/min/g). While polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activity (120.42 U/ mg protein), peel browning index (1.42), fruit weight loss (12.73%) and titratable acidity (0.31%) were declined. An increase in green life (8.22 days) and yellow life (3.93 days) of fruits by potassium application, enhancing the storage and shelf-life of the fruits. Pulp TSS was positively correlated with total sugars (0.938**), TSS: acid ratio (0.981**), shelf-life (0.955**), fruit firmness (0.931**) and MSI (0.921**), and negatively correlated with TA (-0.980**) and PPO activity (-0.967**).

Alleviation of Tissue Browning During Clonal Propagation of Banana cv. Grand Naine

Alleviation of Tissue Browning During Clonal Propagation of Banana cv. Grand Naine

Physio-biochemical evaluation of Si-rich biochar amendment to improve the salt stress tolerance of Grand Nain and Williams banana genotypes

Banana is one of the plants with low salt tolerance and raising its ability to withstand salt stress contributes to increasing its production. Silicon (Si) is one of the important elements in increasing the salt stress resistance in plants. Therefore, Si-rich biochar has been suggested to improve the salt resistance of Williams (WL) and Grand Nain (GN) banana cultivars. Water salinity (tap water, 2, 4, and 6 dS m−1) and Si-rich biochar with low (LSiB) or high rate (HSiB) in a pot experiment were studied. Si-rich biochar significantly mitigated the salt stress and improved the growth of WL and GN banana cultivars. Si-rich biochar was effective in enhancing chlorophyll, carotenoids, calcium (Ca++) and potassium (K+) in banana leaves. HSiB was more effective than LSiB in mitigating the accumulation of sodium (Na+) in the plant leaves. HSiB raised the phenolic, carbohydrate, and proline in WL leaf tissues by 35, 49, and 14%, while these increases were 20%, 44%, and 21% in the case of GN cultivar. Banana leaves exposed to salt stress had higher levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), while Si-rich biochar reduced those levels. Antioxidant enzymes activity were raised by salt stress, and HSiB performed better than LSiB at boosting antioxidant enzyme activity. The production of osmo-protectants such as phenols, carbohydras, and proline were higher in the banana plants treated with HSiB compared to LSiB ones. Si-rich biochar mitigated the salt stress by increasing the uptake of Ca and K, improving the antioxidant defense, and enhancing the production of combatable solutes.

Effect of Post Shooting Application of Fertilizers through Pouch Feeding on Quality Characteristics of Banana cv Grand Naine

The present investigation entitled “Effect of post shooting application of fertilizers through pouch feeding on quality characters of banana cv Grand Naine” was carried out at Regional Horticultural Research Station, ASPEE College of Horticulture and Forestry, Navsari Agricultural University, Navsari during 2018-19 in RBD with three replications and 15 treatments comprising 16 plants per treatment. The findings revealed that significantly maximum pulp : peel ratio (3.34), total soluble solids (21.80 ºBrix), ascorbic acid content (8.36 mg/100g), reducing sugars (6.59 %) and shelf life (11.60 days) with minimum titrable acidity content of fruit (0.210 %) were recorded in banana bunch fed with cow dung slurry (300 g) + (NH4)2SO4 (10 g) + SOP (10 g) while, maximum non-reducing sugars content of fruit (8.39 %) was recorded in bunch of banana cv Grand Naine fed with 300 g cow dung slurry + (NH4)2SO4 (20 g) + SOP (10 g) and the higher value of total sugars content of fruit (14.75 %) was recorded in bunches fed with 300 g cow dung slurry + (NH4)2SO4 (20 g) + SOP (10 g). Moreover, poor performance was recorded in banana bunch fed with control.

Productivity Performance of Musa AAA Under Diferents Planting Densities and Two Cultivars (Grand Nain and Williams) in Banana Intensive Agrosystems in the Agneby-Tiassa Region, Côte D'ivoire

The study was conducted on Agro-industrial farm of Brimbo, property of S.C.B, located in the Agneby-Tiassa region. The study aimed to contribute to the sustainable production of dessert bananas in Côte d’Ivoire through the development of new technical itineraries. The Grand Nain and Williams cultivars were planted in a block design with total randomisation, comprising eight treatments. During plant growth, the effect of density and cultivar on phytopathological parameters of Black Leaf Streak Disease and on growth and production parameters of the banana plant were evaluated. The results showed that planting density influenced the rank of YLS in both cultivars with the highest mean values at 1550 ; 1600 ; 1650 and 1700 plants/ha, with 7.0 ; 7.1 ; 7.0 ; 7.2 for Grand Nain and 7.2 ; 7.0 ; 7.1 ; 7.1 for Williams respectively. The height of the banana plants ranged from 216.9 to 227.1 cm in Grand Nain and from 228.6 to 237.0 cm in Williams. A significant difference was observed for the pseudotruncular circumference with values between 67.5 and 71.5 cm in the cultivar Grand Nain and between 70.6 and 75.5 cm in the cultivar Williams. NLF was significantly influenced by density and cultivar. The best bunch weights were obtained at 1900 plants/ha for Grand Nain and 22.6 kg for Williams at 1550 plants/ha. This study showed that the removal of immature lesion-bearing areas combined with planting density had varying effects on Black Leaf Streak Disease status, growth and productivity of banana plants of the Grand Nain and Williams cultivars.

Macronutrient Estimation in Post-Harvest Banana Corms of Different Genotypes

Banana corm act as a storage material for supporting new side shoot/sucker. It nourishes them by providing the reserved nutrients elements, however amounts of nutrients reserve in corms are not known. The experiment was conducted to evaluate dry matter and essential macronutrients elements (N, P, K, Ca and Mg) of thirty-three corms of different banana genotypes belonging to three different genomic composition. Dry matter content in the corms of the genotypes varied between 5.54 % in Madhuranga bale (AAB) and 23.81 % in Giant Governor (AAA). The nitrogen level in the corms of the genotypes varied between 0.17 % in Champa-IV (AAB) and 1.08 % in Alpan-Manhar (AAB). The phosphorus level in the corms of the genotypes varied between 3.65ppm in H531 (AAB) and 46.33ppm in Matta Poovan (AAB). The potassium level in the corms of the genotypes varied between 1.50% in Grand Naine (AAA) and 4.84% in Champa-I (AAB). The calcium level in the corms of the genotypes varied between 0.27% in Giant Governor and 1.20% in Martaman (AAB). The magnesium level in the corms of the genotypes varied between 0.38% in Giant Governor (AAA) and 1.13% in Green Bombay (ABB). The composition state that banana corm has sufficient nutrient for promoting propagules /suckers from the mother corm.

Effect of Different Levels of Calcium & Magnesium on Production and Quality of Banana (Musa paradisiaca L.) cv. Grand Naine

The present experiment was conducted out during the 2022-2023 at the Horticulture Research Farm, Department of Horticulture, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Science Prayagraj. The banana tissue culture cv. Grand Naine G-9 (Cavendish Subgroup, AAA) was brought from government tissues culture, unit Lucknow. Tissue culture plants were left in shade nets condition for 2 weeks due to transportation and environmental stress. Light and frequent irrigation with watering can was done accordingly with respect to moisture levels in the soil. The field experiment was set up in RBD with 9 treatments and three replications. The different levels of Magnesium viz., (75g and 150g /plant) and Calcium viz., (150g and 300 g/plant).Based on the findings of the experiment, it is concluded that RDN + Calcium (150g /plant) showed the highest plant height (3.29 m), plant girth (72.14 cm), number of leaves/plant (27.11), number of sucker at harvest (9.13), leaf area (10.19 m2), length of inflorescence (122.62 cm), days taken to flowering (281.77), days to taken fruit harvest (83.12), bunch weight (27.28 kg), no. of hands/bunch (10.80), No. of finger per hand (17.33),total number finger of bunch (187.31), finger weight (136.33 g), finger length (22.87 cm), finger girth (15.20 cm), fruit yield per plant (25.52 kg), TSS (23.48 °Brix), Vitamin C (13.48 mg/100g), carbohydrates (25.44 g/100g), calcium (10.38 mg/100g) and magnesium (40.38 mg/100g).

Synergistic Effect of Different Soilless Substrates on the Hardening of In- vitro Raised Banana (Musa sp.) Saplings of Grand Naine

The present study was carried out to investigate the impact of different substrates on the primary and secondary hardening of tissue culture raised banana plantlets. Among eight different treatment combinations of potting mixtures, treatment PHT7 which contained cocopeat with the combination of perlite and vermiculite (2:1:1) emerged as the best potting media with the survival percentage of 98.90% with comparative better growth during primary hardening. Simultaneously maximum growth and development including plant height (15.36 cm), number of leaves (5.71), pseudostem girth (3.88 cm), maximum number of roots (5.90), maximum root length (3.69 cm) has been observed during primary hardening. For secondary hardening, eight combinations of substrates were used in conjunction with soil. Among all the treatments in the secondary hardening, SHT4 (soil+ bonemeal; 3:1) along with the application of Jeevamrit have shown highest field survivability (100%). Moreover a maximum shoot length (33.40 cm) has been observed during secondary hardening with maximum number of leaves were recorded (9.25) with pseudo stem girth 6.98 cm. The outcome of the present study suggested that the treatment PHT7 performed better growth during primary hardening. However the treatment SHT4 has shown comparatively higher growth during secondary hardening.

Optimizing nutrients through drip fertigation and plastic mulch on the growth and yield in banana (Musa acuminata L.)

Among various crops, fruits play an important role to offer dietary requirements. Banana is one of the vital fruits in India and ranks second in terms of area under cultivation. As banana needs enough of nutrients and water to ensure high productivity, proper agronomic management on the aspects are essential. Recently, the adoption of drip irrigation, plastic mulch and fertigation of water-soluble nutrients through drip irrigation have become popular in banana farming. Fruits play an important role in the dietary requirements. Among various fruits, banana is vital crop in India that ranks second in terms of area under cultivation. Banana needs sufficient nutrients and water to ensure high productivity as evidenced in the earlier research; hence, proper nutrient and management are essential. To investigate the effects of different levels of primary nutrients through drip fertigation and plastic mulch on the response of the Grand Naine cultivar of banana, a field experiment was conducted in the Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur, West Bengal, India during Oct. 2019 to Apr. 2021. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with four fertigation levels, namely, 1.2 recommended dose of fertilizer (1.2 RDF), 1.0 RDF, 0.8 RDF and 0.6 RDF as the first factor and the second factor was with and without mulch (M1 and M0). Application of higher rate of nutrients (1.2 RDF) ensured better growth parameters and yield attributes. The highest banana yield was obtained under 120% RDF (i.e., 1.2 RDF) fertigation for both the main and ratoon crops, with a yield of 58.9 and 46.6 t/ha, respectively, however, it remained on par with 1.0 RDF and 0.8 RDF. Further, plastic mulch showed its significant superiority over non-mulched crop in terms of major growth parameters and yield of banana main crop; however, mulching did not significantly influence ratoon crop productivity. The study suggested 0.8 RDF and plastic mulching can be adopted in banana to obtain a higher yield and efficient nutrient utilization of applied nutrients in subtropical conditions of West Bengal.