Effect of Plant Density on Growth, Flowering, Fruiting and Yield of GrandNain Banana in Sandy Soil

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Agricultural Extension and Rural Development Research Institute

Abstract

This study was carried out during two successive seasons of 2008/2009 (Mother plants) and 2009/2010 (First ratoon) of GrandNain banana grown in the newly reclaimed sandy soil (an orchard located at Kafr Daoud), MonofiaGovernorate, Egypt. The vegetative growth, flowering, fruiting and yield of GrandNain banana grown under six planting distances, a range of within row spacing, giving population densities of (933 to 1400 plants/fed.), were studied. The data revealed that the banana plants at close spacing had taller pseudostem than plants under wide spacing. The plants which were at 3x3 m as 2 plants per hole gave higher values of plant circumference, number of green leaves at bunch shooting and total leaves/plant. Earliest shooting and minimum days for harvesting were recorded at wider spacing at 3x4 m and bunches emerged earlier (10-15 days) than bunches from plants spaced at 3x1 m during the two studied seasons. Heaviest bunches were produced from plants at 3x4 m spacing and three plants per hole. Spacing at 3x2 m and 2 plants per hole gave the highest yield (23.8 and 32.34 ton/fed) during the mother plants and first ratoon, respectively. The increase in yield by this  planting distance could be attributed mainly to the increase in number of  plants per unit area. The biggest fingers ( weight, length and diameter) were produced from plants spaced at 3x3m.
orded new wild plants in Saudi Arabia with a potential nematicidal activity against the root-knot nematode. They may be considering a safe source of new alternative nematicides.
 
 
 

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