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Plant Science Today (PST)

Research Articles

Vol. 13 No. sp5 (2026): Recent Advances in Agriculture

Fruit quality, physiology and leaf nutrient content of banana cv. Grand Naine as influenced by split application of nitrogen and potassium

DOI
https://doi.org/10.14719/pst.15173
Submitted
22 April 2026
Published
07-07-2026

Abstract

While nitrogen (N) and potassium (K) fertilisers are most commonly used in banana cultivation for improving plant growth and productivity, the interactive effects of these nutrients on banana fruit quality, physiology and leaf nutrient contents are not clearly understood. The interactive effects of N (0, 150 and 300 g/pseudostem) and K (0, 250, 350 and 450 g/pseudostem) fertilisers on banana fruit quality, physiology and leaf nutrient content were investigated. Application of N at the rate of 300 g/pseudostem and potassium at the rate of 450 g/pseudostem significantly increased fruit total soluble solids (TSS), photosynthetic rate and transpiration rate. Increasing dose of N significantly increased the N content in leaf. However, higher amount of N did not significantly affect titratable acidity in banana fruit. Accordingly, application of N at the rate of 300 g/pseudostem and K at the rate of 450 g/pseudostem was suggested as the optimum treatment that could increase fruit quality and improve fruit physiology and leaf nutrient content.

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