Banana Trial with Polysulphate in Brazil
25
Juquiá, São Paulo state, Brazil 2017
25
Key Conclusions
Polysulphate increased the vigor of banana by up to 25%, even in high fertility soils.
Objective
To evaluate the effect substituting KCl fertilizer with Polysulphate as a source of K has on the yield and quality of banana (Musa acuminata), Cavendish Subgroup.
Trial Details
Trial station
Juquiá, São Paulo state, Brazil
Crop
Banana
Product
Granular Polysulphate
Assessments
Yield, vigor of bunches, and diameter of stems.
Treatments
This randomized block trial consisted of 4 replicates with 8 treatments. Different blends of KCl and Polysulphate were tested to supply 360 kg/ha K2O:
Treatment | KCl | Polysulphate |
---|---|---|
% | % | |
T1: Control | 0 | 0 |
T2 | 100 | 0 |
T3 | 80 | 20 |
T4 | 60 | 40 |
T5 | 50 | 50 |
T6 | 40 | 60 |
T7 | 20 | 80 |
T8 | 0 | 100 |
The fertilizers were applied onto the soil surface at 2 times: first in November 2016; second in January 2017. 100 kg/ha P2O5 as MAP and 250 kg/ha N as ammonium nitrate were applied at the same time in all treatments.
Treatments
This randomized block trial consisted of 4 replicates with 8 treatments. Different blends of KCl and Polysulphate were tested to supply 360 kg/ha K2O:
Treatment | KCl | Polysulphate |
---|---|---|
% | % | |
T1: Control | 0 | 0 |
T2 | 100 | 0 |
T3 | 80 | 20 |
T4 | 60 | 40 |
T5 | 50 | 50 |
T6 | 40 | 60 |
T7 | 20 | 80 |
T8 | 0 | 100 |
The fertilizers were applied onto the soil surface at 2 times: first in November 2016; second in January 2017. 100 kg/ha P2O5 as MAP and 250 kg/ha N as ammonium nitrate were applied at the same time in all treatments.
Results
- Polysulphate increased the vigor of bunches and slightly increased the diameter of stems.
- Partial replacement of KCl with Polysulphate increased crop productivity.
- The KCl:Polysulphate blends with 50% to 60% Polysulphate led to the greatest increases in yield and vigor, even in high fertility soils.
* From research funded by the International Potash Institute www.ipipotash.org.