Rresponse of williams banana plants to biofertilization in relation to growth, productivity and fruit quality [electronic resource].

Includes references.

The present investigation was carried out during 2000/2001 and 2001/2002 seasons on the second and third ratoons of Williams bananas grown in a private farm located at Mansorea, Giza Governorate Egypt. An experiment was conducted to investigate the response of Williams banana plants to biofertilizer in the presence of reduced doses of chemical fertilizers Le. ( 25, 50 and 75% NPK) on growth, yield components and fruit quality. The standard treatment (100% NPK) revealed an increase in the length and diameter of pseudostem, number of green leaves per plant and leaf area. The treatments received 25 or 50010 NPK plus biofertilizers produced slight increases in the studied vegetative growth parameters. However, the treatment of fertilization with 75% NPK combined with biofertilizer was the most superior one. Application of 75% NPK plus biofertilizer caused significant increases in macronutrients contents in leaves compared with either 25 or 50% NPK with biofertilization or the recommend dose of NPK alone. Biofertilized Williams banana plants were increased the length and weight of bunch, number of fingerslbunch and number of handslbunch. The yield and yield components increased by increasing the NPK levels from 25% up to 100%. The yield significantly increased as a result of receiving 75% NPK plus biofertilizer compared with other treatments. The fruit quality properties were improved by the application of biofertilizer. The values of fruit physical properties were increased by the application of the biofertilizer plus 25,50 or 75% NPK. The treatment ofbiofertilization plus 75 % NPK gave the highest values of fruit quality (the contents of pulp from total soluble solids, total sugars; acidity and starch) followed by 50% NPK plus biofertilizer and 100% NPK alone.

Summary in Arabic.

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