Banana

Banana crop guide: we share our knowledge for efficient use of banana fertilizer, resulting in better crops

How does soil fertility affect the banana plant? How can you identify nutrient deficiencies? What types of fertilizers give the best results? Our banana crop guide answers all these questions, and much more

• BThe ideal soil for bananas should be well drained with good water retention capacity. Soil pH should be between 5.5 and 6.5. 
• Bananas grow best in areas with 2,500 mm or more of well-distributed rainfall per year. Irrigation is needed if rainfall is inadequate or irregular. 
• Nitrogen is the chief promoter of growth. It induces the vegetative growth of the pseudostem and leaves providing them the desired healthy green color.
• The higher the number of large and healthy leaves produced during the first 4-6 months, the larger will be the size of the fruit bunch.
• Due to the very high K contents in the banana fruit and leaves, K is considered the most important plant nutrient in banana production.
• Estimated annual soil losses through fruit removal alone can be 400 kg of elemental K (equivalent to 480 kg of K2O) per ha with a production of 70 tons of fruit.