Some methods of soil improvement in the growth and yield of plantain (Musa AAB Group)
Loading...
Date
1994-09-16
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
A completely randomised block design experiment was carried out at Asamankese (5O 52’N, 0 °43’W ) to study the influence of inorganic fertilizer, chicken manure, sawdust and plant remains on the vegetative growth and how the vegetative growth affected fruit filling of two cultivars of Ghanaian plantains, namely, Apantu’ and Apem.
Yields were found generally related to vegetative growth, in plants treated with inorganic fertilizer and chicken manure were significantly taller and thicker in girth, and produced the highest number of leaves as compared to the other treatments. These plants also produced the highest bunch yields in both cultivars.
Mulching with chicken manure or plant remains enhanced the production of more foliage leaves and suckers, but the sawdust treatment caused a slower development of the plants.
In assessing bunch characteristics In terms of peduncle, pulp and peel dry weights it was found that in both cultivars, bunch weight was influenced more by pulp weight than peduncle and peel weights.
A combination of presumably adequate supply of plant nutrients, timely and sufficient rains, and a high or increasing solar radiation income led to improved fruit filling and higher bunch yields.
Description
A thesis submitted to the Board of Postgraduate Studies, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the award of the Degree of Master of Science, 1994