Influence of De-Navelling and Stalk-End Nutrient Application on Nutrient Composition of 'Robusta' Banana Fruits

The contents of N, P, Mg, S, Fe and Mn in banana fruit increased significantly due to denavelling from 0.32%, 0.086%, 0.12%, 0.024%, 52 ppm and 4.8 ppm, under 'control' to 0.37%, 0.085%, 0.13%, 0.027%, 59 ppm and 6.7 ppm, respectively. Dipping stalk end of the bunch in fresh cow dung enhanced these above nutrients to 0.40%, 0.086%, 0.14%. 0.028%, 63 ppm and 7.6 ppm, respectively. When cow dung was enriched with ammonium sulphate, the fruits showed 0.50-0.51% of N, 0.081-0.090% of P, 0.16-0.23% of Mg, 0.032-0.040% of S, 59-111 ppm of Fe and 8.1-17.8 ppm of Mn. Addition of potassium sulphate further enhanced this effect in respect of K (2.11-2.44%) and Fe (74-115 ppm) in fruit. Increasing level of ammonium sulphate in the blend significantly decreased Ca content of the fruit from 0.24% at 5 g to 0.10% at 25 g. When potassium sulphate was included in the blend, Ca content showed further reduction (0.19% at 5 g to 0.10% at 25g). At 15 g of ammonium sulphate and 7.5 g of potassium sulphate the maximum bunch weight of 27.993 kg was obtained (as against 16.724kg under retention of male bud throughout) corresponding to the enhanced nutrient composition of 2.44% of K, 0.12% of Ca, 0.18% of Mg, 0.033% of S, 115ppm of Fe and 14.9ppm of Mn that may have nutraceutical implications.