Effect of Integrated Nutrient Management on Soil Physicochemical Properties and Growth Performance of Ratoon Banana (Musa spp.) cv. Poovan
Sangeetha P
Department of Fruit Science, SRM College of Agricultural Sciences, Vendhar Nagar, Baburayanpettai-603 201, Chengalpattu, Tamil Nadu, India.
Deepika V
*
Department of Fruit Science, SRM College of Agricultural Sciences, Vendhar Nagar, Baburayanpettai-603 201, Chengalpattu, Tamil Nadu, India.
Gopu B
Department of Fruit Science, SRM College of Agricultural Sciences, Vendhar Nagar, Baburayanpettai-603 201, Chengalpattu, Tamil Nadu, India.
Angelin Silviya R
Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, SRM College of Agricultural Sciences, Vendhar Nagar, Baburayanpettai-603 201, Chengalpattu, Tamil Nadu, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Aim: This study assessed the impact of various combinations of inorganic fertilizers and biofertilizers on the growth, soil properties and nutrient uptake of first ratoon banana (cv. Poovan), aiming to identify an optimal integrated nutrient management strategy for enhanced growth and soil sustainability.
Study Design: Randomized Block Design (RBD).
Place and Duration of Study: Orchard, SRM College of Agricultural Sciences and 2024 – 2025.
Methodology: The chosen plants were treated with different treatments viz., T1- Control (Without fertilizer), T2 – 100% RDF of NPK (160:50:390g NPK),T3 - 100% RDF of NPK + 50 g Azospirillum + 50 g Phosphate solubilizing bacteria + 50 g T. harzianum, T4 - 75% RDF of NPK + 50 g Azospirillum + 50 g Phosphate solubilizing bacteria + 50 g T. harzianum, T5 - 50% RDF of NPK + 50 g Azospirillum + 50 g Phosphate solubilizing bacteria + 50 g T. harzianum, T6 -25% RDF of NPK + 50 g Azospirillum + 50 g Phosphate solubilizing bacteria + 50 g T. harzianum.
Results: The first ratoon crop showed that the T3 treatment (100% RDF of NPK with biofertilizers) resulted in taller plants (273.32 cm), wider pseudostem girth (69.81 cm) and the higher leaf count (32.42 leaves per plant). Increased soil nutrient levels of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium were noted in T3. The beneficial microbes enhanced the nutrient mineralization and solubilization, thereby improves the nutrient availability to the crops.
Conclusion: The combination of 100% RDF with biofertilizers (T3) notably enhanced the plant growth and soil fertility by increasing NPK levels and organic carbon. Hence, it’s proved that integrating biofertilizers with chemical fertilizers fosters nutrient availability through microbial activity, supporting sustainable growth in ratoon banana and enhancing soil health.
Keywords: Banana, biofertilizers, growth, INM and soil fertility