Foliar Application Impact of Banana Varieties Peel Extracts on the Performance of Black Gram

Background: Black gram (Vigna mungo L.) is a nutritionally rich pulse crop widely cultivated in Asia, yet its productivity is often limited by poor soil health and nutrient deficiencies. Banana peel, a major agro-waste in India, is rich in essential nutrients and bioactive compounds that can potentially enhance crop performance. This study investigates the foliar application of banana peel extracts (BPEs) from different cultivars to promote sustainable nutrient management in black gram cultivation. Methods: Five banana cultivars (Morris, Rasthali, Green Banana, Nendran and Red Banana) were collected and their peels were soaked in distilled water (1:2 w/v) for 24 hours to obtain aqueous extracts. The nutrient profiles of the peels were analyzed. Foliar sprays at 5 and 10% concentrations were applied to black gram (VBN 8) grown under irrigated field conditions during Winter 2025 and Summer 2026. The experiment was conducted in a randomized block design with eleven treatments (ten BPEs and one control) and data were collected on plant growth and yield parameters. Result: Among treatments, the 5% Rasthali banana peel extract (F4) consistently outperformed others, showing significantly higher plant height (40.83 cm), branch number (6.71), LAI (3.36) and dry matter production (2853 kg ha-1). It also led to superior yield attributes, including number of pods per plant (40.46), seeds per pod (6.01), pod length (5.07 cm) and seed yield (890 kg ha-1). The enhanced performance was linked to optimal levels of nitrogen, potassium, zinc and organic carbon in Rasthali peel. Notably, the 5% extracts outperformed the 10% due to better nutrient absorption and reduced phytotoxicity.