Effect of Three Population Densities and Fertilizer Levels on Yields of High Yielding Clones of Plantains at Two Locations

Abstract

Three levels of fertilization, 2,240, 3,360 and 4,480 kg of 10-2-40/ha, did not affect plantain yields at any of three plant spacings at two locations. Population of 1,890, 2,500 and 3,460 plants/ha resulted in average yields of 29.2, 33.5 and 41.2 t/ha, respectively. The closest spacing (1.7 x 1.7 m equivalent to 3,460 plants/ha) resulted in the highest yields without decreasing fruit size below commercial standards. In commercial plantings where about 80% of the plants are harvested, yields at this population density are equivalent to 33 t of marketable fruits/ha containing 19.8 t of fresh pulp or 7.9 t of dry pulp/ha.