Agrotechnology

Abstract

Effect of Organic Manures and Amendments on Quality Attributes and Shelf Life of Banana cv. Grand Naine

Vanilarasu K and Balakrishnamurthy G

Of late growing awareness on health makes consumer more concerned for food quality and safety. In banana Total soluble solids, acidity and sugar content mostly determine the degree of acceptability of fruit. An experiment was conducted during 2010-11 with 12 different treatment combinations of Farmyard manure, Vermicompost, Neem cake, Wood ash and green manures (organic sources) along with and without microbial inoculants (Arbuscular mycorrhizae, Azospirllium, Phosphate solubilising bacteria and Trichoderma harzianum) comparison with inorganic sources alone on quality attributes and shelf life of banana cv. Grand Naine (AAA). Results revealed that the treatment T10 (Farmyard manure @ 10 kg + Neem cake @ 1.25 kg + Vermicompost @ 5 kg and Wood ash @ 1.75 kg /plant + Triple green manuring with sunhemp + Double intercropping of Cow pea + biofertilizers viz., Vesicular Arbuscular Mycorrhizae @ 25 g, Azospirillum @ 50 g, Phosphate solubilizing bacteria @ 50 g and Trichoderma harzianum @ 50 g/plant) registered the maximum quality attributes (TSS – 23.23%, Acidity – 0.82%, Ascorbic acid – 12.92 mg. 100 g -1, Non-reducing and Total sugars - 6.06 and 14.92%) besides enhancing the shelf life of banana (14.03 days) and reduced physiological loss in weight (7.44%).