Effect of paclobutrazol application and bunch covering on productivity and quality of banana

Purpose: The experiment aimed to evaluate the effect and optimal dose of paclobutrazol, and appropriacy of bunch covering materials on productivity and quality of banana. Research method: This study was laid out following a randomized complete block design with four replications. The experiment consisted of two factors namely Factor A: Different doses of paclobutrazol i.e. no paclobutrazol, ۱ g/L paclobutrazol and ۲ g/L palobutrazol and Factor B: bunch covering i.e. control (no polythene covering), white polythene covering and blue polythene covering. Paclobutrazol was sprayed ۲ times; firstly, at fruit set stage and secondly, one month after ۱st spray. Findings: The treatments showed significant effect on the yield as well as qualitative traits of banana. Paclobutrazol sprayed plants performed better than non-paclobutrazol treated plants. Application of paclobutrazol (۲ g/L) and blue bunch covering banana contained higher amount of sugar. However, blue and white polythene had no significant effect on color measurement of banana peel. Paclobutrazol (۱g/L) and white polythene treated bunch produced the highest bunch weight (۲۴.۹۱ kg), pulp:peel ratio (۳.۵۷), fibre content (۴.۲۰%) while no polythene treated with no paclobutrazol produced the lowest bunch weight (۱۶.۷۷ kg), pulp:peel ratio (۱.۸۹), fibre content (۲.۶۰%) of banana. These results generally prove that paclobutrazol application could potentially be used to improve crop productivity and their quality value. Research limitations: There were no limitations identified. Originality/Value: Paclobutrazol (۱mg/L) with white polythene as bunch covering resulted in the maximum banana production and quality when compared to other treatment combinations, without compromising of human health and environmental sustainability.

کلیدواژه ها:

Bunch covering ، Musa paradisiaca ، paclobutrazol ، Productivity ، quality