Effect of Set Size and Fertilizer Types on Early Growth and Development of Plantain Suckers

Abstract

Inspite of increase in demand for plantain and its products, its production still remain low as a result of unavailability of high quality suckers at the right time. In order to circumvent this problem, this present research was carried out to evaluate the effects of set sizes and organic growth medium on proliferation, growth and development of plantain suckers. The study was carried out at the Teaching and Research Farm, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomosho. Three propagule sizes (S1, S2 and S3) and five nitrogen rates using compost (0, 30, 60, 90 and 120 kg N/ha) were evaluated.  The emerged suckers were allowed to grow for a period of 12 weeks. During the growth period, data were collected on pseudo stem height and number of leaves and leaf length. At six weeks after fertilizer application, leaf samples were taken for dry matter assessment and leaf tissue nutrient content. Data collected were subjected to analysis of variance (P≤0.05) and Duncan multiple range test was used to separate the significant means. Corm sizes and compost application had significant effects on growth and development of the suckers’ response variables. Stem girth, pseudo stem height and number of leaves increased with the level of compost application. In addition, it was observed that corm size three (S3) gave the highest number of leaves and highest leaf tissue nutrient uptake even though it has the least value of stem girth and height. Application of 90 and 120 kg N/ha compost to corm size three (S3) gave the highest nutrient content that was not significantly different from each other. Planting of corm size three (S3) with application of 90 kg N/ha compost is therefore recommended for use by the local farmers. Keywords: corm, fertilizer, Nigeria, plantain