1. Importance of Potassium in Banana Role and Deficiency Symptoms of Potassium in Banana NEXT

2. Importance of Potassium in Banana Potassium is one of sixteen essential nutrients required for plant growth and development. Role of Potassium The chemical symbol for potassium is "K“. It is taken up by plants in its ionic form - K +. Potassium is classified as a macronutrient, as are nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P). NEXT end

3. Importance of Potassium in Banana Potassium is not regularly applied to many crops. But, it plays equally important role as nitrogen and phosphorus in plants for their growth and development. Role of Potassium Good brakes are a must for safe journey to reach the destination and so is potassium for good growth and development of plants, and quality crop produce. Potassium is to a plant what brakes are to a car. NEXT Previousend

4. Importance of Potassium in Banana Role of Potassium Catalyses the action of many enzymes. Potassium increases root growth and thus imparts drought resistance in plants. NEXT Previousend Aids in photosynthesis and increases the crop yields. Helps in translocation in sugars and starches. Increases protein content of plant produce.

5. Importance of Potassium in Banana Role of Potassium Potassium is involved in providing resistance to insect pests, diseases, and water stress. Develops strong cells and prevents lodging of plants. NEXT Previousend Maintains turgor and reduces water loss and wilting of plants.

6. Importance of Potassium in Banana Potassium improves quality of crop produce. Role of Potassium Potassium improves quality factors such as size, shape, color, taste, shelf life, fiber quality and other quality measurements. NEXT Previousend

7. Importance of Potassium in Banana In Banana, potassium increases number of bunches. Role of Potassium Higher rind size. NEXT Previousend Increased weight of hands and fingers. Higher thickness and finger length. Enhanced circumference of fruits

8. Importance of Potassium in Banana Higher rates of potassium increased the pseudo-stem height, girth, leaf area and sucker production. Role of Potassium NEXT Previousend Early flowering and maturity with good grade bunches in Robusta banana. Improved fruit condition at storage for 20 days.

9. Importance of Potassium in Banana Potassium is very mobile in soils. So, vulnerable to leaching losses during heavy rains and with uncontrolled irrigation practices. Deficiency symptoms Similarly Potassium is very mobile in plants and so moves quickly to growing areas of the plant. NEXT Previousend Hence, Potassium deficiency symptoms show up on older leaves of the plants.

10. Importance of Potassium in Banana The characteristic Potassium deficiency is yellowing of older leaves. Deficiency symptoms Older leaves exhibit orange- yellow chlorosis with brown patches and subsequent death of leaf tissue. NEXT Previousend Potassium deficiency results in decreased total foliage and reduced number of hands and fingers in a bunch.

11. Importance of Potassium in Banana Bunches are smaller in size with less number of fingers per hand. Deficiency symptoms Fruits are often will be lacking in the coloration. NEXT Previousend Potassium deficiency also affect the translocation of sugar and starch and this result in the poor quality of the fruits.

12. Importance of Potassium in Banana Nutrient recommendation based on soil test for Banana Management NEXT Previousend Primary Nutrients Nutrient requirement Recommendation Nitrogen (N)200 g/plant625.0 kg/acre Phosphorus (P)60 g/plant545.0 kg/acre Potassium (K)250 g/plant.602.0 kg/acre

13. Importance of Potassium in Banana Nutrient recommendation based on tissue analysis for Banana Management Previousend Primary Nutrients (in g) At emergence After 2 mths After 4 mths At sucker set After 2 mths After 4 mths After 6 mths Nitrogen (N)80 9648 Phosphorus (P)40Nil 40Nil Potassium (K)170 Nil To overcome potassium deficiency in a standing crop, spraying Potassium Sulphate (1%) solution on the leaves is recommended.