COSTA, J. R. M.; http://lattes.cnpq.br/3900071743453417; COSTA, José Ronaldo Medeiros.
Abstract:
In December 2005, a field research was installed in the city of Japaratinga, on the North Coast
region of the state of Alagoas, with the purpose of evaluating growth, physiology, production,
fruit quality, and profitability indexes of Terra type banana tree genotypes, cultivated in non
irrigated conditions with different sources of organic fertilizers. The treatments were
distributed in randomized blocks, with three repetitions, in a 3 x 4 factorial scheme, referring
to Terra type banana tree genotypes (Terrinha, D'Angola and FHIA-21) and fertilizer sources
(chemical fertilizer, filter residue sugar mill, powder of coconut husk, and stillage residue
decanter). The planting was in 0.4x0.4x0.4m holes, spaced at 3 m between rows and 3 m on
the rows. In the treatments with organic fertilizer, the quantities of material applied were
based on the concentration of nitrogen (N) in the respective residue. An application of 12.2 kg
of filter residue sugar mill /hole, 5.8 kg of stillage residue decanter /hole and 4.0 kg of powder
of coconut husk /hole were determined in these treatments. In the parts with chemical
fertilizer, the quantities were based on the soil fertility analysis data. In the plant, pseudo-stem
height and diameter, number of live leaves, total foliar area, photosynthesis efficiency,
stomatal resistance, number of hands and of fruit per bunch, weight hands per bunch, weight
of bunch and productivity were analyzed. In the economy analysis verification, the total
production cost structure was used for the production cost calculus, and profit indicators were
used to calculate the profitability. The greatest increases in the plant growth variables were
observed in Terrinha and D'Angola genotypes. The plants responded to organic fertilizer in
growth (height of the pseudo-stem and total foliar area), in physiology (stomatal resistance)
and in the physical attributions of the fruit (length and diameter of the average fruit on the
second hands). The photosynthesis process wasn't affected by the sources of fertilizers tested.
The productivity of the 'Terrinha' type banana tree was superior to that of the 'D'Angola' and
'FHIA-21' types, and the greatest length and diameter of the average fruit on the second
hands, pulp yield and total soluble solids were registered in 'Terrinha' e 'D'Angola' types.
The productivity had a significant correlation with the growth variables: height and diameter
of the pseudo-stem, number of leaves and total foliar area in Terrinha and FHIA-21 types. The
least total cost with stillage residue decanter resulted in a greater profit index (72,06%). The
Terra type banana tree, no matter which genotype studied, even in a regime of natural soil
humidity, is a viable crop alternative for the North Coast region of the state of Alagoas.
