Influence of nitrogen-potassium fertilizers on plantain banana fruits physicochemical characteristics during ripening

Abstract

This study was undertaken to measure the impact of fertilizers (nitrogen-potassium) on plantain fruits during ripening. Based on nitrogen and potassium content, different doses of fertilizers (T2, T3, T4, T5 and T6) were applied to two hybrid varieties (PITA 3 and FHIA 21) and a traditional variety (CORNE 1) on an experimental split plot plan with a planting density of 2500 plants per hectare. Results showed that total soluble solids (from 0.1° to 1.9 – hybrids and 2.14 – CORNE 1) and moisture content (PITA 3: 67.64 ± 0.06% – 74.63 ± 1.02%; FHIA 21: 67.81 ± 0.89% – 72.19 ± 2.10% and CORNE 1: 61.71 ± 0.23% - 67.78 ± 1.11%) increased significantly during ripening, while firmness (33.93 ± 1.00 N – 1.78 ± 0.76 N), pH (22.90 ± 1.01% - 24.18 ± 2.00%) and hue angle values for peel (27.03% - 31.02%) and pulp (0.05% - 3.66%) decreased considerably. Fruit grown without fertilizer T1 had the lowest moisture (PITA 3: 65.07 ± 1.09% - 68.08 ± 2.00%; FHIA 21: 65.35 ± 3.09% - 69.95 ± 0.09% and CORNE 1: 59.00 ± 1.23% - 65.15 ± 0.67%) content and firmness reducing (72.83 ± 0.24% PITA 3 and 79.49 ± 1.87% CORNE 1). In contrast, PITA 3 (92.14 ± 2.01%) and CORNE 1 (86.84 ± 1.03%) fruits from T4 treatment with high nitrogen content (360 kg/ha) had the highest firmness drop at yellow stage of ripening. Firmness of hybrid PITA 3 and FHIA 21 yellow fruits were twice (3.22 ± 0.03 N; 3.08 ± 0.12 N) smaller than CORNE 1 fruits (7.74 ± 1.02 N). The CORNE 1 fruits were the least humid and the firmer.