Vegetos

Abstract

Absorption of applied ³²P by the treated as well as neighbouring banana cv. Robusta plants under high density planting was studied on a sandy clay loam soil using ³²P labelled super phosphate with application of three levels of P fertilizers viz., 60, 80, and 100 per cent at 15–35, 35–55 and 55–75 cm distance from pseudostem of the plant. The first, 2^nd and 3^rd dose of urea, labelled single superphosphate and muriate of potash was applied to banana at early vegetative (8^th leaf/65 DAP), late vegetative (16^th leaf/115 DAP) and bud differentiation stages (165 DAP). Higher ³²P absorption (dpm/g of dry matter) in leaf was observed in the treatments supplied 100 per cent of recommended dose of fertilizers at closer distance of 15 to 35 cm distance from pseudostem during first split application and at middle distance of 35 to 55 cm from pseudostem during second and third split application. The maximum per cent phosphorus derived from fertilizer (% Pdff) was also recorded with the application of 100 per cent recommended dose of P fertilizers in the middle distance of 35–55 cm from the pseudostem of the experimental plant. No significant difference was observed in the leaves of Robusta banana. The study has brought out the differential nature of the absorption pattern in treated plant and border plants with different levels and placement of fertilizers. Radiophosphorus applied to the root zone was absorbed by the treated plant and the neighbouring plants.