Researches
Dennis Zavala and Juan Delgado
Date
July, 2020
Efficiency of applications of different foliar fertilizers on zinc accumulation in banana plants (Musa AAA).
Banana zinc deficiency implies a direct impact on fruit yield and quality. The efficiency of applications of different foliar
fertilizers in accumulating zinc in the banana plant was evaluated. The investigation was carried out in the Controlled Environment
Unit of the LIFE-RID Experimental Station, in Muelle, San Carlos, Costa Rica. Banana plants were established in a hydroponic
system, under the application of a nutrient solution deficient in zinc. Three repetitions were used per treatment arranged in an
unrestricted design.
The treatments consisted of the foliar application of four commercial products (Zincazot, Greenplants Zn, Zinc 700 y Zinctrac) at the same dose of zinc per hectare (193 grams per cycle). The treatments differ from each other according to the source of zinc, the accompanying elements and the physicochemical technology of the manufacture of each commercial product. At 22 days after sowing (DAS) the first cycle of treatments was applied and subsequently 2 cycles were applied under a biweekly frequency.
The application was performed with a back pump with a calibration of 18 Lha-1 discharge. The concentration of foliar zinc, biomass and plant biometrics was evaluated. Banana plants showed a favorable response to absorb zinc through the leaves, while the formulation of each commercial product has an effect on foliar absorption. Zincazot showed the highest efficiency in accumulating zinc in the leaf, comparatively, it manifests from 47% to 72% greater efficiency than the other products evaluated. To achieve the same foliar levels of zinc, the application of Zincazot would represent a reduction in application costs of 15 to 60% compared to the other products evaluated. A comparative advantage of the application of Zincazot is demonstrated in terms of accumulation efficiency and application costs per hectare.
The treatments consisted of the foliar application of four commercial products (Zincazot, Greenplants Zn, Zinc 700 y Zinctrac) at the same dose of zinc per hectare (193 grams per cycle). The treatments differ from each other according to the source of zinc, the accompanying elements and the physicochemical technology of the manufacture of each commercial product. At 22 days after sowing (DAS) the first cycle of treatments was applied and subsequently 2 cycles were applied under a biweekly frequency.
The application was performed with a back pump with a calibration of 18 Lha-1 discharge. The concentration of foliar zinc, biomass and plant biometrics was evaluated. Banana plants showed a favorable response to absorb zinc through the leaves, while the formulation of each commercial product has an effect on foliar absorption. Zincazot showed the highest efficiency in accumulating zinc in the leaf, comparatively, it manifests from 47% to 72% greater efficiency than the other products evaluated. To achieve the same foliar levels of zinc, the application of Zincazot would represent a reduction in application costs of 15 to 60% compared to the other products evaluated. A comparative advantage of the application of Zincazot is demonstrated in terms of accumulation efficiency and application costs per hectare.
