Author(s):

Dr. Sailajakumari MS and Jibna Annie George

Abstract: Nutrient deficiencies are widespread in banana growing soils which is attributed to the intensive cultivation of high yielding varieties, leaching and erosion losses, limited recycling of residues and gap between removal and supplementation of secondary and micronutrients. Boron is an important micronutrient deciding the bunch yield and quality of banana. The experiment entitled “Bunch Yield in Banana var. Nendran as influenced by application of boron” was conducted to evaluate the nutrient status of banana growing soils and to find the effect of micronutrient boron on the bunch yield of banana in farmers field at Ayarkunnam of Kottayam district, Kerala. There were five treatments in the experiment with four replications in RBD design. Treatments were based on different nutrient recommendations of banana var. Nendran which included Absolute control, farmers practice and NPK Recommendation of Kerala Agricultural University (190:115:300 g/plant) with and without boron application. Micronutrient boron was applied as borax either through soil application (6kg/acre) or foliar application (0.5% borax upto 6^th month) along with NPK as per treatments. Acidic soil of the experimental site was deficient in potassium and boron with excess levels of phosphorus (P) and iron (Fe). Among the treatments foliar application of borax at 0.5% along with other nutrients significantly enhanced the bunch yield. An additional average yield of 2-3 kg was obtained in treatment with foliar application of boron and was found to be beneficial compared to treatments without foliar application of borax.

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