Improvement of growth, yield and quality of banana cv. Grand Naine by application of potassium humate

Abstract

Precise choice of potassium (K) source and application method does matter for its cost-effectiveness. The effect of soil potassium fertilization either as sulfate or humate form with or without K2SO4 foliar sprays was studied on vegetative growth, yield and fruit quality of Grand Naine banana plants grown under clay loam soil conditions. The experiment included four treatments as follows: Control (800 g of K2SO4 as soil application), 250 g of K-humate as soil application, 800 g of K2SO4 as soil application + 2 % K2SO4 as foliar sprays and 250 g of K-humate soil application + 2 % K2SO4 as foliar sprays. Each treatment was replicated three times with three plants per each replicate and the randomized complete block design was arranged. Results indicated that potassium fertilization treatments showed a positive effect on vegetative growth parameters, N, P, K, chlorophyll a and b content in the leaves, also improved yield and fruit properties. In this respect, the humate form was more pronounced than the sulfate form. In addition, treatments included K2SO4 as foliar sprays were more effective than those without it. Therefore, the usage of 250 g of K-humate as soil application + 2 % K2SO4 as foliar sprays could be recommended to improve the growth, yield and quality of Grande Naine banana under these experimental conditions.