Crop Response to Soil Acidity Factors in Ultisols and Oxisols in Puerto Rico. XIV. Plantains and Bananas

Abstract

The effect of soil acidity factors on yield components and leaf composition of plantains and bananas were studied on two Ultisols and one Oxisol. Both crops were extremely tolerant to soil acidity factors on all soils. On the Ultisols, plantains produced similar yields although pH varied from 4.1 to 6.0, and exchangeable Al contents from 0 to over 70% of the cation exchange capacity. On the Oxisol, similar yields were produced when pH varied from 4.25 to 5.25, and exchangeable Al contents from 0 to 48%. Soil acidity did not affect bunch weight or number or weight of fruits. Foliar composition was not affected except that Ca content decreased as acidity of the Ultisols increased. Similarly, bananas produced high yields of marketable fruit at all levels of soil acidity and none of the yield components were affected by the soil acidity factors. Foliar composition was not affected except that Ca content decreased with increasing acidity.