Effect of Planting Material and Mode of Fertilizer Application on Growth, Yield and Soil Properties of Banana under Western Ghat Zone

Effect of Planting Material and Mode of Fertilizer Application on Growth, Yield and Soil Properties of Banana under Western Ghat Zone

Field experiment was conducted during 2007-08 to 2009-10 at Zonal Agricultural Research Station, Igatpuri, Dist. Nasik to study the effect of planting material and mode of fertilizer application on growth and yield of banana. The banana cv. Grand Naine was used as a test crop during three years of study. The experiment consisted of three planting material and four modes of fertilizer application. The results have revealed that the recommended dose of fertilizer through NPK briquettes recorded higher banana yield (102.22 t/ha), gross monetary returns (Rs. 6, 44,155), net returns (Rs. 4, 11,439) & B: C ratio (1.77). The use of tissue culture plants for banana planting gives higher banana yield (96.34 t/ha) & higher gross monetary returns (Rs. 6, 07,187/ha). Hence banana planting is recommended by tissue culture or suckers of tissue culture plants with application of recommended dose (200:40:200 NPK g/ plants) through briquettes has been found beneficial for maximum fruit yield and net monetary return under soil and climatic conditions of Western Ghat Zone of Maharashtra.. p>