Crescimento e produção da bananeira CV. Prata anã (2º ciclo) sob fertirrigação nitrogenada e potássica.

Abstract

The Brazilian Northeast is the main producing area, being responsible for about 35,80% of banana's national production (IBGE 2004). In spite of the favorable conditions to its cultivation, the average national yield has been a lot belovv its potential, due mainly to water and nutrients supply. Among ali nutrients, nitrogen and potassium are the ones required in larger amounts by the banana. With the objective of studying the effect of four rates of nitrogen (0, 117, 235 and 352 kg ha-1), and of four rates potassium (0, 157, 313 and 470 kg ha-1) applied by fertirrigation in the 2o cycle of cultivation of the cv. Prata Anã, data was collected in an factorial experiment in randomized blocks, in an Ultisol of the coastal tableland, of the northeast of Brazil. Yield increased linearly with the applied rates of potassium; nitrogen had effect on the grovvth variables and on the number of fruits; there was an effect of the interaction N x K in the productivity of the banana and the largest productivities were obtained in the combination of highest rates of both nutrients. Potassium increased diameter, length and weight of the médium fruit of the second bunch. High yields were associated to high leveis of Mehlich-1 K in the soil at depth of 0-0,20 m.