Effect of different levels of fertilizers on growth and yield of Banana cultivars in coastal plain of Western India

Field experiment was carried out at College of Horticulture, Dr. BSKKV., Dapoli, Dist. Ratnagiri in the year of 2019-2021 cropping season to find out the optimum dose of NPK and suitable variety for maximizing yield of banana in Konkan region. The experiment was carried out in split plot statistical design with three main plot treatments viz., different banana cultivars – Konkan Safed Velchi (V1), Red Banana (V2), Grand Naine (V3) and five sub-plot treatments viz., different fertilizer levels – F1 (RDF 200:100:200 g NPK/plant), F2 (300:100:100 g NPK/plant), F3 (300:100:200 g NPK/plant, F4 (300:100:300 g NPK/plant) and F5 (300:100:400 g NPK/plant) and having fifteen treatment combinations which were replicated three times. The growth characters and yield of banana were significantly increased with the increase of fertilizer levels. Maximum bunch length (89.4 cm), maximum bunch weight (23.1 kg), maximum number of hands (14.4 nos.), highest hand weight (1.54 kg), maximum number of fingers (16.42 nos.), highest stalk weight (1.06 kg), highest stalk length (103.01cm), highest fruit length (17.43 cm), maximum finger weight (0.104 kg), maximum yield/plant (23.89 kg), maximum yield t/ha (71.08 t/ha) were recorded in V3F4 due to interaction effect of cultivars and fertilizer levels. The present study clearly indicated that for obtaining better growth of banana crop, the cultivar Red Banana performed well and for yield is concerned the cultivar Grand Naine performed the best. For obtaining maximum yield of banana, the fertilizer dose of 10 kg FYM + 300:100:300 g NPK/plant/year has been found beneficial for maximum yield in banana variety Grand Naine which was also proved to be the superior combination for vigorous growth and highest yield.