Influence of green manures and NPK fertilizers on fruit quality and economics of banana

An experiment was carried out at Instructional Farm of ASPEE College of Horticulture, Navsari Agricultural University, Navsari (Gujarat) during 2021-22 and 2022-23 to study the influence of green manures and NPK fertilizers on fruit quality and economics of banana. The experiment consisted of green manuring (T1 - Control, T2 - Single green manuring, T3 - Double green manuring and T4 - Triple green manuring) with dhaincha (Sesbania aculeata L.) in main plot and nutrient management practices [N1 - 100% RDF (FYM: 10 kg plant-1, NPK: 300 : 90 : 200 g plant-1 year-1), N2 - 80% RDF + N 20% from Bio-compost, N3 - 60% RDF + N 40% from Bio-compost] in sub plot. It was laid out in split plot design along with three replications. Among the various treatments, application of triple green manuring by dhaincha showed the best result for yield, TSS and total sugars as well as shelf life. In nutrient management, the treatment involving 100% RDF (FYM: 10 kg per plant, NPK: 300:90:200 g per plant per year) resulted in the highest values for yield, while a combination of 60% RDF and 40% nitrogen from bio-compost improved TSS and shelf life. It can be concluded that for higher TSS, higher yields and good economic returns, banana cv. Grand Nain should be subjected to triple green manuring with dhaincha along with 100% RDF or 80% RDF combined with 20% nitrogen from bio-compost.