Influence of fertigation scheduling through drip on growth and yield of banana in western Maharashtra

Abstract

Field experiments was conducted on clay loam soil in western Maharashtra for three consecutive years (2007-2010) to study the response of drip-fertigation on growth, yield, quality and economics of banana cv. Grand Naine. The experiment was laid out in a randomized block design with nine treatments replicated three times. The experiment comprised of 100, 80 and 60 per cent water soluble fertilizers applied through drip in two schedules and results were compared with three control treatments. The study indicated the beneficial effects of drip irrigation in terms of 23 per cent increase in yield and 45.3 per cent water saving whereas drip with fertigation resulted into 24 to 46% increase in banana yield with equal amount of water saving as compared to conventional method. The results revealed that drip fertigation significantly increased growth, yield contributing and quality characters as compared to conventional fertilizers. Fertigation as per the growth stages proved superior as compared to uniform splits for all the characters including yield. The 100 per cent recommended dose of fertilizer through drip as per crop growth stages showed 46.22 per cent increase in yield (83.62 t/ha). However, it was on par with 80% fertigation treatments (79 t/ha). The banana fruit yield obtained under 60% fertigation (68 t/ha) produced 19% more yield as compared to conventional fertilizer application through soil (57.4 t/ha) indicating 40% fertilizer saving due to fertigation. Maximum water use efficiency (69.5 kg/ha-mm) was obtained in treatment where 100% water soluble fertilizers were applied through drip as per crop growth stages.