Volume : IV, Issue : IX, September - 2014

Microbial Inputs Regime for the Sustainable Production of Banana

Niteen Vinay Phirke

Abstract :

A fair attempt has been made to explore if low / biotech input regime provides sustainable production of banana (Musa paradisiaca, Shrimanti variety), without compromising with the fertility of soil, interests of farmers, expectations of consumers and health of eco–system. For this purpose, randomized block experimental layout (RBD) is implemented, incorporating 12 treatments. These comprised of permutations and combinations of (a) soil conditioner (SC) prepared by solid state fermentation of banana pseudostem for improving organic carbon content and porous texture of soil, (b) consortium of nitrogen fixer, phosphate solubilizer, heterotrophic sulphur oxidizer and endogenously present endomycorrhizae (VAM) for sustained release of plant nutrients and protecting chemcials, (c) fly ash for supplying Ca, phosphate and micro–nutrients and (d) amino acids based plant growth regulator (PGR) for enhancing chlorophyll content in leaves. Control carried out simultaneously used recommended dose of chemical fertilizers. Using this layout, outcome of two trials carried out on 0.5 acre and 4.0 acres during 1998–99 and 1999–2000 is as follows : (1) Approximately 4 million MT of pseudostem and leaf biomass per year were used to produce a soil conditioner, using solid–state fermentation for organic carbon and nutrient recycling. (2) Amino acids–based plant growth regulators, produced by hydrolyzing locally available protein–rich by–product, increased the survival rate of transplanted plants and banana productivity. (3) Efficient microbes were isolated from the rhizosphere of elite banana plants and preserved for commercial exploitation in a consortium of biofertilisers. (4) Fly ash has shown potential as a partial substitute for phosphatic and potassic fertilizers and imported micro–nutrients, in conjunction with phosphate solubilizing fungi and mycorrhizae. (5) Drip irrigation has reduced the quantity of water used, electricity consumption and, as a result, soil salinization. (6) Using these biotech inputs, chemical fertilizers were reduced by 50%, which made possible the conversion of heavily eroded, barren and unused land into cultivable agricultural land. (7) Trials in two geo–climatic conditions at North Maharashtra University and Bajirao Agro–Tech have shown oadly the same trend in observations and productivity, indicating the reliability of integrated plant nutrition management technology.

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Article: Download PDF   DOI : 10.36106/ijar  

Cite This Article:

Niteen Vinay Phirke Microbial Inputs Regime for the Sustainable Production of Banana Indian Journal of Applied Research, Vol.4, Issue.9 September 2014


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