Effects of Organic and Chemical Fertilizers on vegetative Growth, Yield and Yield components of two Cultivars Banana (Banana sp) Under River Nile State conditions

Abstract

The study consists of experiment at two different locations in River NileState.These locations were Hudeiba (Research Station) and Aliab (Bashaier area. The study was conducted during the period 2009-2011 to evaluate the effects of urea, NPK compound and organic fertilizers (poultry and farm yard manure) on banana plants, Cavendish and Grand Nain cultivars. The fertilizers were applied alone and in combination. Applications were 400gm urea and 200gm NPK in four doses organic fertilizer was applied as 10kg compost and 5kg poultry manure, Banana suckers were planted 3x3m spacing and 6x4m basins. There were 4 replication. Data collection consisted of vegetative growth, fruit yield and TSS contents of fruits. In fruit parameters recorded were length, width of pseudostem and number of leaves. The study indicated a significant increase in pseudostem length and small increase in width and number of leaves. In Hudieba location after first readings the plants stunted due to the characteristic of heavy clay soil, which hinder growth of roots, besides the lack of aeration. In Bashier location the experiment were carried in two seasons. There were highly significant differences in pseudostem length in the two cultivars due to fertilizer treatments especially chemical and organic fertilizers, the cultivars also showed significant in differences between them and significant differences due to fertilizers during vegetative growth. Regarding pseudostem width these was significant in difference until 120 days from planting where after there was significant difference, due to all treatments ,but no significant difference due to the combination between cultivars and fertilizers. The study indicated significant differences in leaf number due to fertilizers and cultivars and also the combination between them. IV There was significant difference due to urea, NPK and poultry manure and compost, treatments for both cultivars in the two seasons compared with the control. The results showed that there were highly significant increase in growth resulted from all fertilizer treatments, reflected in earlier shooting198days in the main crop, 142days in the first ratoon and shorter time to flowering and to harvest 35days in the main crop and 32 days in the first ratoon in Dwarf Cavendish compared to Grand Nain cultivars in the two seasons. The results indicated that addition of urea with compost and urea with poultry manure resulted in significant differences in yield represented by bunch weight, fingers weight, hand number in bunch, finger in hand compared with the control. Grand Nain was more response to the Dwarf Cavendish. The results showed that total soluble solids (TSS) increased significantly due to the treatment of fertilizer and were highly significant between the two cultivars in the two seasons, so the effects of compost +Urea on TSS in green fruits and TSS in ripe fruits indicated that Grand Nain is more responsive than Dwarf Cavendish.