Crop Guide: Banana Fertilizer

Index:

1. Main functions of plant nutrients
2. Nutrient functions and deficiency symptoms in banana
3. Nitrogen (N)
4. Phosphorus (P)
5. Potassium (K)
6. Magnesium (Mg)
7. Calcium (Ca)
8. Sulfur (S)
9. Micro-nutrients
10. Iron (Fe)
11. Manganese (Mn)
12. Zinc (Zn)
13. Copper (Cu)
14. Salt sensitivity

Low soil fertility is one of the major constraints to optimum crop growth and yield. Soils fertility can be managed by fertilization, but the grower must be fully aware of his nutrient problem(s) in order to arrive at the right decisions regarding the kind and rates of fertilizers to be applied. Numerous diagnostic techniques used in evaluating soil nutrient status and determining fertilizer requirement of the crop viz. nutrient deficiency symptoms, field and pot experiments, soil testing, and plant analysis.

Banana yield and quality improvement due to balanced fertilization has been well documented. Information on improving fruit storage quality and the storage properties of banana fruit through proper nutrient use, is also crucial since large quantities of fruit are sold in remote markets.

• Banana root system spreads in the top 60 cm soil. Being an exhaustive crop, proper fertilizer application has to be resorted in order to obtain good yields.
• The choice of fertilizers, the dosage of nutrients, time of application etc., varies widely with respect to agro-climatic regions and varieties.

The effects of proper fertilization of bananas are:

• Increase of the crop yield by the improvement of grading, or of weight of bunch,
• Reduction in time needed for maturation of the banana bunch
• Increase in the number of marketable, good quality bunches per hectare,
• Improvement in quality, in terms of physical and chemical characters, leading to high return to the growers.

2.1 Main functions of plant nutrients

Table 4: Summary of main functions of plant nutrients:

2.2 Nutrient functions and deficiency symptoms in banana

Table 5: Role of specific nutrients

Nutritional deficiencies hinder the growth of banana plant (Table 6). It can be noted that potassium deficiency has marked negative effects.

Table 6: Number of leaves produced in 158 days and intervals between emergence of leaves ("Dwarf Cavendish" on sandy soil)

2.2.1 Nitrogen (N)

Function: Nitrogen is one of the primary nutrients absorbed by banana roots, preferably in form of the nitrate (NO₃ ^-) ion. Nitrogen is a constituent of amino acids, amides, proteins, nucleic acids, nucleotides and coenzymes, hexosamines, etc. This nutrient is equally essential for good cell division, growth and respiration.

• Nitrogen is the chief promoter of growth. It induces the vegetative growth of  the pseudostem and leaves giving them desirable  healthy green color.
• A healthy robust vegetative frame is an essential pre-requisite for high yields, and nitrogen is mainly responsible for such a vegetative frame. Banana plants, poorly nartured with N, produce only seven leaves versus 17 leaves produced by banana plants supplied with adequate N.
• If N is deficient in bananas the leaves take 23 days for unfolding versus 10 days for the leaves of banana supplied with adequate N.
• Nitrogen deficiency causes slow growth and paler leaves with reduced leaf area and rate of leaf production. N positively influences the longitudinal growth of petioles.
• It was observed that the greater the number of large, healthy leaves, produced during the first 4-6 months, the larger will be the size of the fruit bunch.
• Nitrogen increases the bunch grade, and sucker production.
• Lack of N produces thin, short and compressed leaf petioles, thin and profuse roots, and lesser number of suckers, .. Phosphorus uptake is higher due to N deficiency.

Table 7: Nitrogen (N) in the banana plant

Table 8: Optimal rate of nitrogen for plant growth* - Cv. Pioneira (2 x 3 m)

I – First cycle

II – Second cycle

** - Fertilization: P and K, dolomite lime. N split (35, 75, 115, 155 days after planting).

Soil: pH 5.4;  P 2 ppm;  K 0.5 meq/l;  Ca+Mg 7 meql/l;  Al 1 meql/l

* Brasil et al. (2000) Brazil

Figure 4: Nitrogen effects on TSS, Sugars and Sugar/Acid ratio (Uniform rates of P and K)

Babu (1999) India

Deficiency Symptoms:

Typical symptoms of nitrogen deficiency in banana are general yellowing of leaves, rose colored tints on petioles (Figs 5, 6) and leaf sheaths, stunting, resetting, slender pseudostem, small petioles and leaves, and reduced life span of leaves. Banana is more sensitive to a lack of nitrogen than any other element, and. Nitrogen deficiency causes notable reduction in yield.

Figure 5: Severe nitrogen deficiency symptom in banana

Figure 6: Nitrogen deficiency symptoms:  petioles turn pink to violet, and distance between them becomes extremely short

Figure 7: Severe nitrogen deficiency symptom on banana petioles

Figure 8: Nitrogen excess: Severe scorching of banana laminae due to excessive application of urea (damages build up near the mid-rib)

2.2.2 Phosphorus (P)

Function: Phosphorus helps to produce healthy rhizome and a strong root system. It also influences flower setting and general vegetative growth. It is one of the three primary nutrients and is absorbed by banana roots mainly in the form of orthophosphate (H₂PO₄^-). It is a component of sugar-phosphates, nucleic acids, nucleotides, coenzymes, phospholipids, phytic acid, and more. It plays a key role in reactions involving ATP. This element is necessary for many life processes such as photosynthesis, metabolism of carbohydrates, and the transfer of energy within the plant. It helps plants store and use energy from photosynthesis, develop roots, speed-up the maturity, and resist stresses.

Deficiency Symptoms: Phosphorus deficiency symptoms show on the old leaves as chlorosis of their margins. Purplish brown flecks develop there as well. With severe deficiency, the affected leaves curl, the petioles break, and the younger leaves have a deep green color. P deficiency causes complete cessation of elongation, at a height of about two feet rosetting of leaves with older leaves becoming increasingly irregularly necrotic, leaf production is reduced and marginal chlorosis and in severe cases premature death follows.

Figure 9: Severe phosphorus deficiency, symptom on banana laminae (cv. Dwarf Cavendish). Laminae edges become necrotic

2.2.3 Potassium (K)

Due to the very high K contents in the banana fruit and leaves (see Fig. 1, page 5) K is considered the most important plant nutrient in banana production.

The amount of K taken up from the soil and removed from the field in harvested bunches is very high. Estimated annual soil losses through fruit removal alone can be 400 kg of elemental K (equivalent to 480 kg of K₂O) per ha with a production of 70 tons of fruit. For this reason, banana requires a good K supply, even in soils where K levels are considered high.

Function: Potassium is required as a cofactor for over 40 enzymes. It has a role in stomatal movements by maintaining electro-neutrality in plant cells. It is required for many other physiological functions, such as: formation of sugars and starch, synthesis of proteins, normal cell division and growth, neutralization of organic acids, involvement in enzymatic reactions, regulating carbon dioxide supply by control of stomatal opening and improving efficiency of sugar use, increasing plant resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses, such as: frost tolerance by decreasing the osmotic potential of cell sap due to higher ratio of unsaturated/saturated fatty acid, drought tolerance, regulation of internal water balance and turgidity, regulating Na influx and/or efflux at the plasmalema of root cells, chloride exclusion through selectivity of fibrous roots for K over Na, and imparting salt tolerance to cells by increasing K holding capacity in the vacuole against leakage when Na incurred in external medium.

Potassium does not play a direct role in the plant’s cell structure, but it is fundamental because it catalyzes important reactions such as respiration, photosynthesis, chlorophyll formation, and water regulation. The role of K in the transport and accumulation of sugars inside the plant is particularly important since these processes allow fruit fill and, therefore, yield increase.

Potassium improves yield

Table 9: The effect of K on yield** - (Cv. Grand Naine, 3 x 4 m)

*  Fertigation: Daily K & N (total 400 g/plant) for 6 months, P, Mg, S weekly (4 months), Zn, Mn weekly (3 months)

**   Saad & Atawia (1999): Egypt

* - N 250 g/plant, P₂O₅ 125 g/plant; N & K in 3 split doses

** Abu Hasan et al. (1999) India

Table 11: The effect of K on yield** - Cv Pioneira (2 x 3 m)

I – Second cycle

II - Third cycle

* Fertilization: P and N, dolomite lime. K split (35, 75, 115, 155 days after planting)

Soil: pH 5.4; P 2 ppm; K 0.5 meq/l; Ca+Mg 7 meql/l; Al 1 meql/l

** Brasil et al. (2000) Brazil

Table 12: The effect of K on yield and quality*

* Bhargava et al. (1993)

Table 13: Effect of soil applied K on yield*

* at plant population of 1800 plants / ha

Dynamics of K Uptake:

• Intensive K uptake in first vegetative phase
• Overall decrease of K concentration in plant from sucker to fruit
• High K in soil allows large uptake also at latter phase
• K uptake is leveling off after bunch emergence
• Low K supply, limits transfer of mineral nutrients (N, P, Ca, Mg, Cu, Zn) in xylem
• Low K supply, limits transfer of carbohydrates

Table 14: Effect of Multi-K application on banana quality

(Jambulingam et al. 1975)

Figure 10: The effect of leaf K content on yield when applying Multi-K by dripper

Deficiency Symptoms: Potassium deficiency symptoms in banana are quickly evident when it is not continuously applied under intensive banana cultivation. Classic symptoms of K deficiency are:

Leaves

• Chlorosis of the leaves: The most characteristic symptom of plants lacking in K is the yellowing of the tip of the older leaves (Figs. 11 - 12). The yellowing and necrosis spread rapidly towards the leaf base, until the whole leaf has withered standing in a normal position.
• Rapid yellowing of oldest leaves, which then turn orange and dry-up; leaves may become tattered and fold downward; leaves are crumpled in appearance Splits develop parallel to the secondary veins and the lamina folds downwards, while the midrib bends and fractures, leaving the distal half of the leaf hanging.

Figure 11: Mild potassium deficiency: old leaves become yellow-orange

Figure 12: Moderate potassium deficiency: necrosis starts at leaf margins

Figure 13: Severe potassium deficiency: necrotic stripes reach leaf midrib

Figure 14: Extreme potassium deficiency: most of the leaf desiccates and typical curling starts

Figure 15: Lethal potassium deficiency: necrosis and bending of a large part of the leaf

As time progresses, leaves curl inward and die soon after (Fig. 16).

Figure 16: Potassium deficient banana; older leaves become chlorotic, then necrotic, and the tip of the midrib bends downward.

• Purplish brown patches appear at the base of the petioles and in severe cases the centre of the corm may show areas of brown, water soaked disintegrated cell structures.

Fruit

• Bunch deformation: fruit bunches on K-deficient plants are short, slim and deformed because of poor fruit filling, bunches are poorly filled.
• Fruits are badly shaped, poorly filled and unsuitable for marketing.

Figure 17: Fruits are badly shaped, poorly filled and unsuitable for marketing.

Plant growth

• Stunted growth: It is common for K-deficient banana plants to exhibit slow growth, shortened internodes and a sturdy appearance.
• Longer than usual intervals between the emergence of new leaves, leaves are profusely smaller, premature yellowing of plant.

Excessive potassium

High Potassium levels:

• create an imbalance of MgO/K₂O ratio in soil
• Symptoms: “blueing”
• Magnesium deficiency
• Calcium deficiency

Figure 18: Symptoms of excessive level of potassium

2.2.4 Magnesium (Mg)

Function: Magnesium is a secondary macronutrient absorbed as Mg²⁺. Magnesium is a crucial constituent of the chlorophyll molecule. It is required, nonspecifically, by a large number of enzymes involved in phosphate transfer. It is involved in photosynthesis, carbohydrate metabolism, synthesis of nucleic acids, related to movement of carbohydrates from leaves to upper parts, and stimulates P uptake and transport, in addition to being an activator of several enzymes.

Figure 19: The effect of magnesium on banana yield

N: 276 kg/ha, K2O: 585 kg/ha, MgO: 122 kg/ha (+ S: 96 kg/ha)

Source: REF: Kali & Salz (2002) Ecuador

Deficiency Symptoms: Magnesium deficiency is expressed by yellowish chlorosis of the central zone of the lamina while the margins and midrib area remain green; other symptoms are purple mottling of the petioles and separation of leaf sheaths from the pseudostem.

Deficiency:

• Common in bananas
• Occurs in old plantations which have had little Mg applied
• OR where excessive potassium is applied
• Marginal yellowing (Fig. 20).
• Bluish - purple mottling of petioles (‘blue sickness’)
• Separation of leaf sheath from stem

Result

• Lower yields
• Poor plant growth
• Poor uptake of potassium and calcium

Figure 20: Magnesium deficiency symptoms

2.2.5 Calcium (Ca)

Function: Calcium is another secondary plant nutrients, absorbed by plant roots as Ca²⁺. Calcium is a constituent of the middle lamella of cell walls as Ca-pectate. Calcium is required as a cofactor by some enzymes involved in the hydrolysis of ATP and phospholipids. It is an important element for root development and functioning; a constituent of cell walls; and is required for chromosome flexibility and cell division.

Calcium deficiency is a widespread problem in banana crops and significantly reduces fruit quality. Moisture stress is the major cause of calcium deficiency as it interrupts the root uptake of calcium and leads to localized deficiencies in fruit. Boron is required for the maintenance of transpiration (water uptake) and therefore also calcium uptake. Over-use of nitrogen fertilizers and excessive plant vigour also compound calcium deficiencies. Calcium and boron are also essential for plant strength and therefore deficient plants are more likely to suffer from fungal diseases and environmental stresses. Calcium deficiencies are common in both acid and alkaline soils even when exchangeable soil calcium levels are high. This is largely due to the low mobility of soil calcium and competition with other nutrients such as ammonium nitrogen, potassium and magnesium

Calcium deficiency caused by:

• Low transpiration – e.g. at high humidity
• Fruit has a low transpiration rate:
  a) Reduced Ca uptake in maturating fruits may result in Ca deficiency
  b) Maturity spots of banana (e.g. aggravated by plastic bags on bunch)
• Rapid leaf growth may cause a Ca shortage
• Cold winters in subtropics
• Imbalances with K and Mg
  a) high rates of K, Mg or NH₄⁺ will reduce Ca availability
  b) optimum Ca uptake at soil Ca:(K+Ca+Mg) ratio of 0.7

Source: Lahav & Turner (1989 - IPI-Bulletin No 7), C.B.I Banadex (1998 –AIM database)

Figure 21: The effect of calcium application on banana yield

N rate: 200 kg /ha, K rate: 498 kg/ha

Source: Moreno et al. (1999) - Venezuela

Deficiency Symptoms

Typical symptoms indicating calcium deficiency in banana are: general dwarfing, reduced leaf length, reduced rate of leaf emission; leaves are undulated; tissue near midrib thickens, may turn reddish-brown. In sub-tropical growing areas, calcium deficiency, generally, appears in early summer after spring flush. It reveals as typical chlorosis and necrosis and “Spike-Leaf’ in severe cases.

Leaf: 

• The symptoms are found on the youngest leaves causes the spike leaf in which the lamina in new leaves is deformed
• Black Sigatoka (Mycosphaerella fijiensis) disease is worse
• Interveinal chlorosis near leaf margins
• Creates ‘spike leaf’ appearance where lamina of new leaves is deformed or absent
• Symptoms appear in after a flush of growth
• OR where high levels of potassium are applied

Plant:

• It causes heart rot to newly planted tissue culture plantlets.

Fruit:

• Peel splits when fruit ripe
• Fruit curls – scratching others in bunch            
• Fruit weight and diameter is reduced
• The fruit quality is inferior and the peel splits during the ripening.

Figure 22: Calcium deficiency symptoms

Figure 23: Early foliar symptoms (yellow stripes parallel to leaf midrib)

Figure 24: Chlorotic (white) and/or necrotic heart leaf

Figure 25: Early foliar symptoms of Calcium-Boron deficiency (crinkled leaves)

2.2.6 Sulfur (S)

Function: Sulfur, also a secondary plant nutrient, is essential for protein formation, as a constituent of the three amino-acids cystine, cysteine and methionine.

Sulfur is required for the formation of chlorophyll and for the activity of ATP - sulfurylase. These essential functions permit the production of healthy and productive plants, which are a precondition for high yields and superior quality.

Deficiency Symptoms:

Leaves are chlorotic and reduced in size, with a thickening of secondary veins; undulating leaf edges; necrosis along edge of lower leaves.

Sulfur deficiency is rare, as sulfur is often supplied with fertilizers containing sulfur: 

(NH₄) ₂SO₄, Superphosphate or MgSO₄

Leaf:

• Symptoms appear in young leaves
• Leaves become yellowish-white
• If severe, necrotic patches appear in the leaf margins
• Leaf veins are thickened

 Fruit:

• Bunches are small or ‘choked’
• Yields may be reduced

Figure 26: Sulfur deficiency

Figure 27: Sulfur deficiency, yellowing of the entire lamina

2.3 Micro-nutrients

The availability of micro-nutrients is markedly influenced by soil pH

• Above pH 7 there is a clear reduction in the uptake of Fe, Mn and Zn
• Below pH 5 there is a clear reduction in the uptake of Mo and P and an increase in the uptake of Mn and Al.

High Na and Mg contents in soil reduce uptake of micro-nutrients

2.3.1 Boron (B)

• Boron deficiency is not common in bananas. It does occur, though in some Latin American countries (e.g. Ecuador)
• Boron deficiency is common in acid soils
• Boron deficiency symptoms:
  - Curling and deformation of leaf
  - White strips perpendicular to veins on underside of lamina
• B uptake rate in field is constant from sucker to harvest – 40 mg/plant/month

Figure 28: Effect of various Boron rates on yield

Planting density: 2123 plants/ha

Fertilization [kg/ha]: N 224, P 35, K 336, Mg 62, Zn 24
Source: Silva (1973), Puerto Rico Plantains

Boron deficiency symptoms include: Chlorotic streaking of leaves, oriented perpendicular to and crossing the primary veins (Fig. 29); leaf malformation (Fig. 30), interveinal chlorosis. This deficiency can develop slowly over time.

Boron deficiency may results in reduction in weight and size of the bunch and in proper filling of the individual fruit units.

Figure 29: Boron deficiency - whitish parallel streaking of the entire width of central part of the leaf

Figure 30 a-c: Boron deficiency – deformed foliage

Boron deficiencies occur on a wide variety of soils, however, boron availability reduces as pH increases. Boron is essential for flowering, fruit set and the translocation of sugars. Boron is required for calcium uptake and movement, and calcium deficiencies can be significantly reduced by boron application. Boron plays a similar role to calcium in plant nutrition, which makes it essential for quality factors such as skin strength, fruit firmness and storage life. Because boron is required for root development and plant strength, deficiencies often increase the likelihood of fungal diseases and reduce the plant's tolerance to various environmental stresses.

2.3.2 Iron (Fe)

Function: Iron is a constituent of cytochromes, nonhaeme iron proteins, it is involved in photosynthesis, and N₂ fixation and respiratory linked dehydrogenases. Iron is also involved in the reduction in nitrates and sulfates, and in reduction processes by peroxidase and adolase. Total amount of iron uptake by healthy plants is only about 1-3 g. 80% of this is absorbed during the first half of plant’s life.

Deficiency Symptoms: General chlorosis of entire lamina mainly of young leaves; retarded plant growth; small bunches.Leaf color becomes yellow-white. 

Iron deficiency is mainly observed on:

• Calcareous soils
• Soils with high water tables
• Soils with high Manganese

Lahav & Turner (1989 - IPI-Bulletin No 7)

Figure 31: Iron deficiency symptoms

2.3.3 Manganese (Mn)

Function: Manganese is one of the micronutrients, absorbed by the plant roots in the form of Mn²⁺. It is required for the activity of dehydrogenases, decarboxylases, kinases, oxidases, peroxidases, and non-specifically by other divalent cation activated enzymes. It is required for photosynthetic evolution of O₂, besides involvement in production of amino acid and proteins. Manganese has equally strong role in photosynthesis, chlorophyll formation and nitrate reduction. A metallo-enzyme peroxidase concentration is considered to be the marker of Mn deficiency.

Deficiency Symptoms: Manganese deficiencyat its mild form is expressed as “comb-tooth” chlorosis, which starts on the leaf margins and spreads along the veins towards the midribof the leaf with occasional narrow green edge.  Chlorosis first appears on second or third youngest leaf.

Figure 32: Manganese deficiency symptoms.

Toxicity: Manganese toxicity is a known problem in acid soils. In severe cases, leaf Mn levels may reach 6000 ppm. Hi Mn levels reduce calcium uptake by 30%, magnesium uptake by 40% and zinc uptake by 20%, and may enhance the occurrence of disorder known as ‘mixed ripe’.

2.3.4 Zinc (Zn)

Function: It is an essential constituent of alcohol  dehydrogenase, glutamic dehydrogenase, lactic dehydrogenase, carbonic anhydrase (regulating carbon dioxide metabolism), alkaline phosphatase, carboxypeptidase, and other enzymes such as dehydropeptidase and glycylglycine dipeptidase active in protein  metabolism. It also regulates water relations, enhances cell membrane integrity, and stabilizes sulflahydryl groups in membrane proteins involved in ion transport. Under low Zn availability bunch mass will quadruple in response to increasing Zn rate. At high concentration Zn features low mobility rate in the phloem from the leaves to the fruits.

Deficiency Symptoms:  Zinc deficiency is a very common problem in banana, observed in all growth regions. It is more common on young plants with no mother plant to act as a nutrient reservoir.Symptoms may appear in one year without affecting yield, but reduce fruit yield in second or third year. Zinc deficiency is found in banana when it grows in zinc-deficient soils, symptoms may be severe mainly in sandy soils and on high pH soils due to fixation, or on weathered, acidic soils, were Zinc content is low. Zinc may leach under acidic conditions. Also, zinc is inactivated at high concentrations of phosphorus in the soil.

In leaf:

• Leaves become narrow
• Yellow to white strips appear between the secondary veins
• Oblong brown necrotic patches appear in the yellow stripes
• It shows as narrow pointed and chlorotic young leaves, strap-shaped leaves, leaf chlorosis in strips or patches;.
• A zinc deficient leaf is significantly smaller in size than a normal leaf and high concentration of anthocyanin pigmentation is developing on its lower side.

Suckers:

• Become very thin
• Bunches have small twisted fingers
• Bananas have a characteristic light green tip
• Plant growth shows stunting and resetting.

2.3.5 Copper (Cu)

Function: Copper plays an active role in enzyme performing key functions like respiration and photosynthesis, and Cu-proteins have been implicated in lignification, anaerobic metabolism, cellular defense mechanism, and hormonal metabolism. Known forms of Cu in the plants comprise: cytochrome oxidase, diamine oxidase, ascorbate oxidate, phenolase, leccase, plastocyanin, protein having ribulose biphosphate carboxylase activity, ribulose biophosphate oxygenase activity, superoxide, dismutase, plant acyanin, and quinol oxidase. Copper proteins exhibit electron transfer and oxidase activity. Copper is also a constituent of cytochrome oxidase and heme in equal proportions. It also acts as a terminal electron acceptor of the mitochondrial oxidative pathway.

Deficiency Symptoms: Midrib and main veins bend backwards giving plant an umbrella appearance. Leaves turn a yellow bronze color.

Cu toxicity is possible, in particular where Bordeaux mixture is still in use for plant protection.

2.4 Salt sensitivity

• High salt levels in soil or water can cause stress.
• Salinity stress results in marginal leaf chlorosis, stunted growth and thin, deformed fruits.
• Dessert bananas of AAA type (e.g. Cavendishs) are more sensitive than plantains (AAB/ABB types).
• 100-500 ppm total soluble salts in soil is satisfactory with banana growth. At levels of 500-1000 ppm, plants and fruits are visibly affected. When total concentration of soluble salts exceeds 1000 ppm, plants are stunted or dead.
• Salinity problems occur in Carribean area, Latin America, Israel, Canary Islands.
• Sodium and Chlorine are not considered essential nutrients for banana growth
• Bananas seem to be more sensitive to Na than to Cl. (E.g. bananas still grow at up to 600 ppm Cl in irrigation water) (Israel).
• At high Na levels, Na contents in roots can rise up to 1.5% (3 x normal value), especially when K is deficient.
• Excessive Na causes nutrient imbalances
  - Na (or Mg) present at high amounts in irrigation water, reduce K uptake, even if soils contain high K levels.
  - High Na and Mg also reduce uptake of micronutrients.
• When Cl is excessive - sucker growth is restricted and fruit will not fill.

Figure 33:  Salinity in soil causes crop and root biomass reduction

Salinity affects root growth before crop stress is visible

Nanicao (Cavendish-group) – Greenhouse trial

Source: Araujo Filho et al. (1995) - Brazil

Figure 34: Salinity reduces growth

Source: Araujo Filho et al. (1995) - Brazil

Bananas are sensitive to salinity and sodium toxicity

• Banana is sensitive to sodium (Na) and chloride (Cl)
• Salt problems occur when chloride concentration in the soil solution exceeds 500 ppm
• Cl toxicity reduces sucker growth and fruits will not fill
• Sodium (Na) toxicity causes chlorosis
• Na⁺ interferes with K⁺ uptake

Figure 35: Sodium toxicity

Salinity damages start showing in banana plants irrigated with water at a concentration of 500 mg Cl/ L. The problem escalates when recycled irrigated water is used. In such case, the use of Multi-K^™ potassium nitrate as a source of nitrate to suppress the uptake Cl by banana roots, is recommended.

Figure 36: Water salinity reduces crop production

Monthan banana (ABB), India

Soil: sandy loam; pH 6.8, CEC 10.0 mol/kg, irrigation: 200mm

The effects of salinity (0, 50 and 100 mM NaCl) can be observed on many banana cultivars. With increased NaCl levels it shows injury symptoms, such as: chlorosis and marginal leaf necrosis with subsequent leaf death. The effects on leaves results in the reduction of up to 50% of leaf area and and 70% in dry matter.

Increased salinity in the irrigated water reduces yield (Figs. 37 - 40).

Figure 38: The effect of the E.C. of irrigation water on weight of bunches (two-year trial)Israeli et al, 1986

Figure 39: Salinity damage (reduction in water conductance) following the use of KClSource: Jones & Vimpany, 1999

Figure 40: Salinity damage (growth suppression) following the use of KClSource: Jones & Vimpany, 1999

As a result to the fact that banana plant is sensitive to salinity, the source of fertilizers, as a potential contributor to salinity, should be selected carefully. Haifa's fertilizers are products of choice as a chlorine free source, either water soluble fertilizers or CRF (Controlled Release Fertilizers). For more details, see pages 60-70.

Need more information about growing bananas? You can always return to the banana crop guide table of contents & banana fertilizer

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