Phosphate Fertilization Mediated Agronomic Enhancement of Banana Cultivars Using Multivariate Biplot Methodology

Purpose: Banana (Musa spp.) always possesses a prominent position in our daily diet due to its astounding nutrition profile and medicinal potential bioactive compounds. An investigation was carried out in the northern region (Bogura district) of Bangladesh to explore the effect of differential phosphate fertilization levels on bunch attributes and fruit yield parameters of three banana cultivars: Grand Naine, Champa and Anupom.
Research Method: Five TSP rates (0, 200, 300, 400 and 500 g plant-1 TSP) were evaluated in this study for two production cycles with the aid of GT (Genotype X Trait) biplot methodology.
Findings and Values: The findings implied that all three cultivars exhibited a consistent increment in the magnitude of all bunch attributes and shorter phenological cycle (days from planting to flower emergence and days from flower emergence to harvesting) as a response to the ascending P fertilization, which culminated in 400 g plant-1 TSP rate. The responsiveness to P fertilization was more conspicuous in the cultivar Grand Naine as revealed by more pronounced enhancement in bunch attributes. A longer phenological cycle and drastic declines in all bunch and yield parameters were observed in all three cultivars at a 500 g plant-1 TSP rate, indicating the detrimental effect of excessive Phosphate application beyond the specific threshold. All three cultivars showed higher productivity across all bunch traits in the second production cycle than in the first. This study signifies the judicious determination of P fertilization for lessening of excess P-mediated soil toxicity, nutrient deficiency and disease incidence in banana for the northern region of Bangladesh.