Banana crop is heavy feeder of nutrients. It

1
Introduction

• Banana crop is heavy feeder of nutrients. Its
  roots spread superficially and absorb large
  amounts of nutrients from the soil.
• Proper management of nutrients in banana crops
  leads to higher yield. The essential nutrients
  are supplied through different fertilizer
  combinations which vary with variety and climatic
  conditions.
• Proper nutrient supply and management ensures
  adequate nutrient to plants to avoid deficiency
  or toxicity. It also stimulates proper shoot and
  root growth in plants.

2
Major Nutrients
Nitrogen It is required in large quantities for
development of lush green shoot growth. It is
absorbed by plant in the form of nitrates. It is
needed for synthesis of chlorophyll and protein.
Deficiency Symptoms Slow growth and yellowing
of leaves. Leaf area reduces and leaf petiole
becomes short and thin. Lesser production of
suckers. Deficiency of nitrogen leads to
excessive absorption of Phosphorus. Management
Nitrogen In the form of urea, 200 gm nitrogen at
vegetative stage and 100 gm nitrogen at
reproductive stage should be applied. Out of
which, 25 Nitrogen through organic sources
(Neem Cake FYM) and 75 Nitrogen through
inorganic form.
3
Phosphorus

• Phosphorous is major nutrient essential for root
  development and fruit maturity in plant. It helps
  to produce healthy rhizome and strong root system
  in banana. It also influences flowering and
  general vegetative growth.
• Deficiency Symptoms Phosphorus deficiency
  results in to slow growth with thin and woody
  stems. Fruit maturity delayed and there is
  discoloration of flowers and fruits in banana.
• Management Phosphorus is applied in the form of
  Single Super Phosphorus at 40-60 gm P2O5 per
  plant at time of planting.

4
Potassium
Potassium is major nutrient for overall plant
growth and colour to flowers and fruits. It
regulates uptake of water and synthesis of starch
and sugar. It improves the disease resistance of
plants and keeping quality of fruits.
Deficiency Symptoms Deficiency of potassium in
banana affects plant metabolism and reduces
growth and production of new leaves. Leaf size
reduces with premature yellowing. Necrosis spread
from border resulting in to withering of entire
leaf lamina. Management Application of 200 gm
potassium at vegetative growth and 100 gm at
reproductive growth in the form of muriate of
potash is recommended.
5
Magnesium

• Magnesium is main constitution of chlorophyll and
  plays vital role in production of carbohydrates,
  proteins, fats. It acts as carrier of Phosphorous
  in plant and regulates uptake of other nutrients.
  
• Deficiency Symptoms
• Magnesium deficiency causes formation of green
  bands around the margin and near the midrib of
  leaf lamina in banana.
• Management
• Spraying Magnesium Sulphate _at_ 2 gm / Liter water
  effectively corrects the magnesium deficiency in
  banana.

6
Sulphur

• Sulphur is essential for vegetative growth and
  root development. It helps in formation of
  chlorophyll and essential component of many
  proteins and enzymes.
• Deficiency Symptoms Sulphur deficiency causes
  larger yellow spots on each side of midrib of
  leaf lamina in banana.
• Management Magnesium deficiency can be corrected
  by application of Magnesium Sulphate _at_ 50
  gm/plant as soil application at planting or
  Spraying _at_ 2 gm/liter water.
• Application of Iron Sulphate can correct the iron
  deficiency as well as sulphur deficiency.

7
Secondary Nutrients
Manganese Manganese is essential in the
formation of chlorophyll in banana. Deficiency
Symptoms Veins of leaf lamina remain green
while the rest of leaf turns yellow and shows a
netted appearance. Management Application of
Manganese Sulphate (MnSo4) in to soil or
spraying of MnSO4 can correct the manganese
deficiency in banana.
8
Zinc

• Zinc nutrient helps to regulate the
  oxidation-reduction processes within the cells.
  Its deficiency found in banana only when it
  grows in zinc deficient soils.
• Deficiency Symptoms Plant bears narrow pointed
  and chlorite young leaves in banana. Bunchy top
  crowns is a typical symptoms of zinc deficiency.
• Management Application of Zinc Sulphate _at_ 50
  gm/plant in soil at the time of planting. Or
  Foliar application of 3gm Zinc Sulphate 5gm
  urea is mixed in 1 liter of water at 45 and 60
  days after planting.

9
Boron
Boron helps in cell development in banana and
regulates translocation of sugars across
membranes and the polyphenolase activities in
metabolism. Deficiency Deficiency of boron may
results in reduction in weight and size of the
bunch and also affects the proper filling of the
fruit bunch in banana. Management Application
of Borax _at_ 20 gm per plant at the time of
planting in soil. Or Foliar application of Boric
acid at 0.2 at 4 - 5 month after planting.
10
Iron
Iron is a constituent of cytochrome enzymes
system and plays a catalytic role in numerous
enzyme activities in plant Deficiency Iron
deficiency is mainly observed in alkaline soil.
Young leaves show yellowing and chlorosis between
veins in banana. Management Application of
Iron Sulphate can correct the Iron deficiency in
banana.