EXPLOITING ORGANIC WASTE AND INORGANIC FERTILZER FOR SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTION OF PLANTAIN (Musa spp.)

This study looked at the development and yield of the false horn plantain cultivar in Mpobi and Kenyase, Ghana, using an inorganic NPK (216:150:600 kg/ha) fertiliser, as well as organic poultry manure (PM: 16,660 kg/ha) and cocoa pod husk (CPH: 16,660 kg/ha) treatment. Under the Randomized Complete Block Design, fertilisers were separated and applied in different ways. NPK+PM (108:75:300+8,330 kg/ha) and NPK+CPH (108:75:300+8,330 kg/ha) combinations were also tested. Fertilized plantain plants grew taller, with wider stem girth, more functioning leaves, and shorter days to flowering and maturity (p0.0001). Fertilized soils took 17–71 days to flower and 18–56 days to mature, respectively, compared to control soils. On treated soils, the number of suckers produced by mother plants at harvest was considerably higher (p0.0001). On treated soils, the number of bunches, fingers per hand, finger length, and weight were significantly higher (p0.0001). Total plantain yields on fertilised soils were 2,000 – 8,089 kg (16 percent – 78 percent) higher than on non-fertilized soils. In general, inorganic and organic combinations (NPK+PM and NPK+CPH) outperformed standalone NPK, PM, and CPH in terms of growth and yield. PM outperformed the other two standalone fertilisers in terms of vegetative growth and yield. Finally, NPK, PM, and CPH improve plantain output, with inorganic and organic mixtures generating the optimum growth and yield.

Please see the link :- https://www.ikprress.org/index.php/JOGAE/article/view/2685