Yield and economics of banana Cv. grand nain influenced by foliar spray of water soluble fertilizes on banana bunch

Abstract

The present experiment entitled “Effect of post shooting foliar spray of fertilizers on yield and economics of banana (Musa paradisiaca L.) cv. Grand Nain” was conducted during the year 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14 at Regional Horticultural Research Station, ASPEE College of Horticulture and Forestry, Navsari Agricultural University, Navsari (Gujarat). The experiment was laid out with eleven treatments in a Randomized Block Design (RBD) and replicated three times. The treatments included SOP (1.0%, 1.5% and 2.0%), Urea (1.0%, 1.5% and 2.0%), KNO3 (0.5%, 1.0% and 1.5%) and Pouch feeding (300g fresh cow dung + 20g Ammonium Sulphate + 10g SOP) along with control. The first spray was done immediately after complete emergence of bunch and second spray was done 15 days after the first spray. All bunches were covered with 18µ blue polythene. Quantity parameters were recorded and analyzed statistically. Results of present investigation revealed that the minimum days taken from flowering to harvesting and maximum length of bunch, girth of bunch, weight of third hand, length of finger, girth of finger, weight of bunch and yield per hectare were recorded significantly in SOP 1.5%. Economics indicated that banana bunch sprayed twice with SOP 1.5% and sleeve with 18µ blue polythene found most remunerative as it gave the highest gross income and net realization with maximum benefit cost ratio.