Effect of Different Sources of Iron on Productivity and Fruit Quality of Banana Grande Naine CV.

This study was carried out on the 1st and 2nd Grande Naine banana ratoons grown in sandy soil and a drip irrigation system of banana orchard belonging to the Horticultural Research Station at Al-Kanatir Al-Khairia, Qaliobia Governorate, Egypt, during two successive 2021 and 2022 experimental seasons-Mats (plantation holes) were 3× 4 meters apart, to study the effect of foliar spray with different iron sources, i.e., FeSO4, chelate FeSO4, and Nano FeSO4, on the productivity and fruit quality of banana Grande Naine cv. Each iron source spray treatment was applied, covering the whole foliage of each plant, whereas 3 liters were sufficient in this case. Besides, periodically applied 5 times/season at a one-time/season-month interval in the 1st week of March, April, May, June, and July. The results showed that iron sprays, especially banana plants sprayed with Nano FeSO4 at 40 ppm, had a positive effect on yield and fruit physical and chemical characteristics compared to the control (spraying with tap water) and other iron sources treatments. It could be recommended to spray banana Grande Naine plants by sprayed with Nano FeSO4 at 40 ppm five times per season at a one-month interval (in the 1st week of March, April, May, June, and July) to enhance yield and fruit physical and chemical characteristics.