Yield and yield attributes of banana (Musa paradisiaca L.) cv. Grand Nain influence by foliar application of silicon

Abstract

The present experiment was conducted at Regional Horticultural Research Station, ASPEE College of Horticulture and Forestry, Navsari Agricultural University, Navsari during 2017-18 and 2018-19. An experiment was laid out in a randomized block design, comprising of three levels of potassium silicate and silicic acid (1, 2 and 3 ml/l/plant) along with control. The treatments were replicated thrice. The effects of foliar applications at 2nd, 3rd and 4th months after planting of different levels of potassium silicate and silicic acid on yield and yield attributes of banana cv. Grand Nain were recorded. The results indicated that foliar application of potassium silicate @ 3ml/l/plant at 2nd, 3rd and 4th MAP recorded significantly the maximum length and girth of bunch, weight of bunch,number of hands per bunch, fingers per bunch, weight of 3rd hand, length of finger and finger weight from 3rd hand and fruit yield.