Banana nutrition

Abstract

At the beginning of the 20th century, with the increased demand for bananas, large enterprises started to cultivate the plant in Central America. The soils were of volcanic and alluvial origin, and therefore rich in organic matter and very fertile. Hence, little or no additional fertilizer was needed. Within a short time, the rich soils became depleted and at the same time less fertile soils were brought into cultivation, with the result that mineral nutrition of the crop attracted much attention.