Chlorophyll and macronutrients content in leaf tissue of Musa sp ‘Prata-Anã’ under fertigation

Abstract

The banana (Musa sp.) crop is notable for its social and economic importance in tropical and subtropical regions of world. In Brazil, despite being a main banana producer, its production is considered low, mainly due to water and nutrient shortages in soils. This fact motivated this study; so, it aimed to evaluate chlorophyll and macronutrients content in leaf tissue of banana ‘Prata-Anã’ (AAB) under fertigation with doses of nitrogen and potassium. It were evaluated chlorophyll a, b and total and leaf contents of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg) and calcium (Ca) in banana trees grown in an Ultisol on the coastal tablelands of Sergipe State, Brazil. The experiment was conducted in the field, in a 42 factorial with four randomized blocks. Two factors with four levels were tested: nitrogen (0; 350; 700 and 1050, in kg ha-1 of N, as urea) and potassium (0; 400; 800 and 1200, in kg ha-1 of K2O, as potassium chloride). Increasing N applied through irrigation enhances leaf nitrogen until approximately 631.08 kg ha-1 of N, while chlorophyll total remains constant after 250 kg ha-1. Phosphorus and calcium are increased due to high doses of N, however, magnesium and potassium in the leaves are reduced. High doses of K increase leaf content of K until estimated dose of 698.07 kg ha-1 and reduce calcium and magnesium of banana ‘Prata-Anã’.