Journal of Horticultural Sciences

S. C. Kotur ¹, S. V. Keshava Murthy ¹

Affiliations
1 Division of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Bangalore-560 089, IN

Abstract

The contents of N, P, Mg, S, Fe and Mn in banana fruit increased significantly due to denavelling from 0.32%, 0.086%, 0.12%, 0.024%, 52 ppm and 4.8 ppm, under 'control' to 0.37%, 0.085%, 0.13%, 0.027%, 59 ppm and 6.7 ppm, respectively. Dipping stalk end of the bunch in fresh cow dung enhanced these above nutrients to 0.40%, 0.086%, 0.14%. 0.028%, 63 ppm and 7.6 ppm, respectively. When cow dung was enriched with ammonium sulphate, the fruits showed 0.50-0.51% of N, 0.081-0.090% of P, 0.16-0.23% of Mg, 0.032-0.040% of S, 59-111 ppm of Fe and 8.1-17.8 ppm of Mn. Addition of potassium sulphate further enhanced this effect in respect of K (2.11-2.44%) and Fe (74-115 ppm) in fruit. Increasing level of ammonium sulphate in the blend significantly decreased Ca content of the fruit from 0.24% at 5 g to 0.10% at 25 g. When potassium sulphate was included in the blend, Ca content showed further reduction (0.19% at 5 g to 0.10% at 25g). At 15 g of ammonium sulphate and 7.5 g of potassium sulphate the maximum bunch weight of 27.993 kg was obtained (as against 16.724kg under retention of male bud throughout) corresponding to the enhanced nutrient composition of 2.44% of K, 0.12% of Ca, 0.18% of Mg, 0.033% of S, 115ppm of Fe and 14.9ppm of Mn that may have nutraceutical implications.

Keywords

De-Navelling, External Feeding, Nitrogen, Potassium, Sulphur, ‘Robusta’ Banana, Musa Sp. (AAA), Composition of Fruit.

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S. C. Kotur ¹, S. V. Keshava Murthy ¹

Affiliations
1 Division of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Hessaraghatta Bangalore - 560 089, Karnatak, IN

Abstract

De-navelling and feeding ammonium sulphate (AS) (5-25 g/plant) with or without potassium sulphate (2.5-12.5 g/ plant) blended in 500 g of fresh cow-dung and applied to the distal stalk-end of the bunch of 'Ney Poovan' banana (Musa sp. L., AB) showed that the nutrients moved from the blend into the bunch and significantly enhanced weight of the fruits and of the bunch, compared to retention of flower, de-navelling (removal of male inflorescence) and application of 500 g cow-dung only to the excised distal stalk- end of the bunch. De-navelling caused 7.1% (5623 g) higher bunch yield, which increased to 13.9% (5980 g) when cow dung alone was applied after de-navelling. When cow dung was blended with 5 g of AS and 2.5 g of Sulphate of Potash, the response was 66.5% (9362 g) over de-navelling and application of cow dung alone and 78.3% (9362 g) over retention of male bud throughout (5250 g). A significantly higher N content, N uptake, Ndff (nitrogen derived from fertilizer), fertilizer N uptake, utilization of fertilizer and K and S content were observed when cow-dung enriched with AS and SOP was applied. Nitrogen content and all the parameters of N use were distinctly higher in the basal portion of the bunch indicating the flow of the applied nutrients upward from the de-navelled end. Results showed that application of 5 g ammonium sulphate and 2.5 g sulphate of potash blended in 500 g of fresh cow dung to the distal stalk-end of the bunch of 'Ney Poovan' banana was the most promising in boosting the yield, improving the nutritional composition in respect of N, K and S without adversely affecting the fruit quality.

Keywords

Bunch Size, Nutrient Feeding, De-Navelling, ‘Ney Poovan’ Banana, Musa Sp., N, K, S.

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S. C. Kotur ¹, S. V. Keshava Murthy ¹

Affiliations
1 Division of Soil Science and Agricultural chemistry, Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Hessaraghatta Lake Post, Bangalore-560 089, Karnataka, IN

Abstract

Internal nutrient dynamics in mango (cv. Alphonso) were studied during its annual growth flush (January - June, 2002). The study consisted of sampling mature leaves and growth belonging to the previous thirteen seasons at least (representing the seasonal growth of the previous six years) at fruit-set and post-harvest stages of plant growth. The samples were analyzed for N, P, K, Ca and Mg. The study indicated that phosphorus moved from 2^nd, 3^rd and 4^th internodes to current season's growth and accumulated at other internodes, potassium moved from mature leaves to the new growth and accumulated in all the other internodes. Calcium and magnesium moved from 9^th and older internodes to current season's growth, whereas, N was mostly remobilized from much older parts and by absorption from soil. The results imply that fertilizer application in productive mango trees should aim at keeping nutrient reserves of the permanent framework well-supplied to achieve sustained fruit production.

Keywords

Mangifera indica, Mango, Nutrient Dynamics, Current Season’s Growth, Internal Nutrient Reserve.

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