Effect of integrated plant nutrient management on yield and economics of banana (Musa paradisiaca)

Field experiment was conducted during 2010-11 and 2011-12 at tribal farmer's field at Jambughora taluka of Panchmahal district of Gujarat to study the effect of integrated plant nutrient management on yield and economics of banana (Musa paradisiaca L.) under semiarid irrigated conditions. The results of study revealed that the application of 75% RDF of NPK+ FYM (15 kg/ plant) + neem cake (1.0 kg/plant) + bio-fertilizer (Azosprillum and PSB each @ 20 g/plant), recorded the maximum number of hands (10.60 and 11.90), number of fingers (142.90 and 147.90), bunch weight (25.90 and 26.6 kg/plant) and total yield (78.90 and 79.80 tonnes/ha) during both the years of experimentation, respectively. Similarly, net income (Rupees 276500 and 279750) and B: C ratio (3.30 and 3.30) was recorded maximum in same treatment, i. e. T7 (75% RDF of NPK+ FYM@ 15 kg/ plant+ neem cake @ 1.0 kg/plant + bio-fertilizer) during both the years of experimentation under semiarid irrigated condition of western India.