Role and Deficiency Symptoms of Nitrogen in Banana

Role and Deficiency Symptoms of Nitrogen in Banana

Role and Deficiency Symptoms of Nitrogen in Banana Importance Nitrogen is an essential plant nutrient required for all growth processes. Nitrogen is a part of chlorophyll, the green pigment of the plant (Fig. ), that is responsible for photosynthesis. Nitrogen helps plants with rapid growth, better quality of leaf and increased fruit production.

Role and Deficiency Symptoms of Nitrogen in Banana Role of Nitrogen is present in all living cells and is an essential component of amino acids, chlorophyll, DNA and enzymes. A healthy robust vegetative frame is an essential prerequisite for high yields and nitrogen is mainly responsible for such a vegetative frame. Nitrogen stimulates root development and is the chief promoter of growth.

Role and Deficiency Symptoms of Nitrogen in Banana Role of Nitrogen promotes leaf growth giving them desired color. Nitrogen induces the vegetative growth of pseudo stem. Banana plants with low Nitrogen availability produce only seven leaves against 17 leaves produced by banana plants supplied with adequate Nitrogen.

Role and Deficiency Symptoms of Nitrogen in Banana Role of Nitrogen It was observed that greater the number of healthy and large leaves produced during the first 4 -6 months, larger will be the size of fruit bunch. Nitrogen influences the longitudinal growth of petioles. Nitrogen increases the bunch grade, and sucker production. .

Role and Deficiency Symptoms of Nitrogen in Banana Nitrogen deficiency symptoms Nitrogen deficiency causes slow growth and paler leaves with reduced leaf area and rate of leaf production. Nitrogen is perhaps the most important limiting factor for growth and development of banana. If Nitrogen is deficient in banana, the leaves take 23 days for unfolding against 10 days for the leaves of banana supplied with Nitrogen.

Role and Deficiency Symptoms of Nitrogen in Banana Nitrogen deficiency symptoms Yellowing of leaves and stunted plants are typical symptoms of Nitrogen deficiency. Yellowing of leaves Stunted plant growth

Role and Deficiency Symptoms of Nitrogen in Banana Nitrogen deficiency symptoms The older leaves show signs of chlorosis (severe yellowing of leave margins). The development of pink color on the underside of midribs and leaf petioles are initial stages of nitrogen deficiency. Severe yellowing of leaf margins

Role and Deficiency Symptoms of Nitrogen in Banana Nitrogen deficiency symptoms Leaf petioles are short, thin and compressed. Thin and profuse roots, and lesser number of suckers are produced due to lack of Nitrogen. Phosphorus uptake is higher due to N deficiency.

Role and Deficiency Symptoms of Nitrogen in Banana Nitrogen recommendation An early application of nitrogen induce vigorous leaf growth and result in higher leaf area index during the early phase of growth. Higher leaf area is considered as the prime importance for obtaining higher yield.

Role and Deficiency Symptoms of Nitrogen in Banana Nitrogen recommendation Soil test based fertilizers application in banana Primary Nutrients Total Nutrient requirement (per plant) Total fertilizer required (spacing 1. 8 X 1. 5 m; 1452 plants/ac) Nitrogen (N) 200 g/plant 625. 0 kg/ac Phosphorus (P) 60 g/plant 545. 0 kg/ac 250 g/plant. 602. 0 kg/ac Potassium (K) Source:

Role and Deficiency Symptoms of Nitrogen in Banana Nitrogen recommendation Tissue analysis based fertilizers application in banana Primary Nutrients At emergence After 2 4 months At sucker set After 2 months After 4 months Nitrogen (N) 80 g 80 g 96 g 48 g Phosphorus (P) 40 Nil Nil Potassium (K) 170 170 170 Source: