HUBUNGAN PANJANG TUNGKAI DENGAN KEMAMPUAN LOMPATRNJAUH PADA MAHASISWA PROGRAM STUDI PENJASKESREK FKIP UNIVERSITAS SYIAH KUALA TAHUN AKADEMIK 2012/2013

Banda Ace

Effects of potassium deficiency, drought, and weevils on banana yield and economic performance in Mbarara, Uganda

This paper reports results from a 6-year long-term fertilizer X banana weevil trial for highland banana in Mbarara, Uganda. The objective of the study was to quantify the effect of mineral fertiliser (100 kg N, 50 kg P, and 100 kg K ha -1 yr-1) on crop and economic performance and weevil pest status. Soil and foliar analyses, and visual observations (i.e. yellowing of leaves) revealed that potassium deficiency was the major soil fertility constraint and a function of slope. Topsoil (0-15 cm) exchangeable K content was low down slope (0.6 mmolc 100g-1 dm). As a result, annual yields in the lower block (9 t ha-1) were much lower than in the upper block (17 t ha-1). Yield increase due to fertilizer application (4t ha-1 yr-1) was independent of initial soil fertility status. This observation was in line with foliar analysis, which revealed that K concentrations (2.0 %) were still at deficiency level in fertilized plots, suggesting that 100 kg K ha-1 yr-1 is too little to correct for the deficiency. K deficiency did not only reduce bunch weight, but also increased cycle length, resulting in a significant (r2= 0.57) correlation between these two crop parameters. Mean weevil pressure was too low (8%). Overall, the applied fertilizer dose was not profitable; i.e. the mean benefit-cost ratio was 0.7. Probably, application of N and P fertilizer did not increase yields, but the mean benefit-cost ratio is still low (1.6) when N and P fertilizer costs are omitted, and drought-related risks are high. We recommend testing the use of mulch to decrease drought risk and enhance fertilizer use efficiency

Cultural control of banana weevils in Ntungamo, southwestern Uganda

The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture and the Uganda National Banana Research Programme tested and evaluated selected cultural management options for the banana weevil through on-farm farmer participatory research in Ntungamo district, Uganda between 1996 and 003. A farmer adoption study of these cultural practices was also undertaken. Tested technologies included: (1) pseudostem trapping; () soil fertility and water management practices (grass mulch, soil and water conservation bunds and farm yard manure); and (3) crop sanitation (destruction of crop residues that serve as breeding grounds for banana weevils). This paper reports on the efficacy of these controls, as well as farmers' observations on the feasibility of their adoption. The difficulties in carrying out farmer participatory research in highly heterogeneous banana stands are also discussed