Nutrient Uptake by Intensively Managed Plantains as Related to Stage of Growth at Two Locations

Abstract

Intensively managed, properly fertilized, high-yielding plantains growing on two soil types took up an average of 249, 21, 585, 60, and 147 kg/ha of N, P, K, Mg, and Ca, respectively. Uptake of all nutrients by the plants increased at varying rates up to harvest. Total dry matter production increased rapidly up to harvest. The corms, leaves and pseudostems stopped growing when the bunches emerged . A rational program for fertilization of both the plant and ratoon crops of plantains was developed from the data obtained: About 338, 58, 780 and 100 kg/ha of N, P₂0₅, K₂O, and MgO, respectively, must be applied as fertilizer to plantains to obtain near optimum yields. These amounts are approximately equivalent to those in 3,000 kg/ha of 10-2-25-3 commercial fertilizer.