CALCIUM NITRATE CONCENTRATIONS IN FERTIGATION FOR ‘TERRA’ BANANA PRODUCTION

Abstract

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of calcium nitrate concentration of irrigation water on soil chemical attributes and productivity during the first ‘Terra’ banana crop cycle. The experiment followed a completely randomized design with six treatments and five replications, with six plants per plot. Treatments consisted in the use of three calcium nitrate concentrations (3.0, 10.0 and 13.0 g.L−1), applied via dripping and micro-micro-sprinkling irrigation. The results showed that the soil chemical properties under fertigation are influenced by the water and nutrient delivery system. There was a linear tendency of increase in electrical conductivity of the saturation extract and soil solution with the increase in calcium nitrate concentration in irrigation water. The banana tree productivity was influenced by the fertilizer concentration in irrigation water.

Keywords

• soil solution
• saturation extract
• electric conductivity
• trickle irrigation