Effect of different amounts of potassium on growth of the banana*
PDF

How to Cite

Effect of different amounts of potassium on growth of the banana*. (1972). Tropical Agriculture, 49(4). https://journals.sta.uwi.edu/ojs/index.php/ta/article/view/3423

Abstract

Banana suckers grown in sand culture were irrigated with six different nutrient solutions containing potassium at rates ranging from 0 to 292 p.p.m. All other cations and anions remained balanced. In all treatments with low potassium, characteristic symptoms of potassium deficiency appeared in mature leaves and their petioles. Because of the late appearance of visual symptoms, it is advisable not to rely solely on them for the determination of potassium supply in the banana sucker. Following potassium starvation, a general growth retardation occurred: pseudostem height and circumference were smaller; leaves were smaller and their longevity shorter, thus diminishing the total foliage area of the sucker and so reducing the number of hands and fingers on the bunch. The number of green leaves and total foliage area were useful for determining the potassium status of the sucker.
PDF