Effects of Potassium Application and Straw Returning on Potassium Management and Benefit of Banana

HighlightsThe effects of potash fertilizer and straw returning on a banana orchard were studied by field experiment.Fertilizer with straw was more conductive to potassium nutrient balance and improved banana yield and quality.The economic benefits of straw replacing different amounts of potassium fertilizer were compared.Abstract. To explore the effects of potash fertilizer and straw returning in banana production, a field experiment was carried out, and four treatments were set up: NP fertilizer (NP), NP fertilizer and banana straw (NP+St), NPK fertilizer (NPK), and NPK fertilizer and banana straw (NPK+St). Through the soil potassium balance, the effects of potash fertilizer and straw returning on the yield, quality, and economic benefits of bananas were studied. The results showed that the application of potash fertilizer and straw could improve banana yields. Compared with the NP treatment, the banana yields of the NP+St, NPK, and NPK+St treatments increased by 17.5%, 50.5%, and 71.6%, respectively. The order of banana yield, potassium balance coefficient, and nutrient accumulation was NPK+St > NP+St > NPK > NP. The NPK+St treatment also improved the recovery rate and agronomic utilization rate of potash fertilizer, which were higher than that of potassium application without straw (NPK) and straw application without potassium (NP+St). Potassium application with straw improved the banana yield, increased the total accumulation of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, and improved the efficiency of potash fertilizer uptake by the crop. Therefore, this study demonstrates the importance of straw for maintaining the soil potassium balance in banana production. The input cost of potassium fertilizer was reduced, and the resource utilization of banana straw was realized by straw returning, which can be promoted in local agricultural production. Keywords: Banana, Potassium application, Potassium balance, Straw returning, Yield.