Determination of nutritonal status of banana orchards at Alanya district

In this thesis study, it was aimed to determine nutritional status of banana orchards of Alanya region by soil and leaf analysis. For this purpose, samples of soil and leaves were taken from 27 orchards representing the orchards the region. Electrical conductivity (EC), lime (CaCO3), texture (texture), organic matter (OM), available phosphorus (P), soluble calcium (Ca), potassium and magnesium (Mg), DTPA extractable iron (Fe), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn) and zinc (Zn) were determined in the soil samples. In the leaf samples, total N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Zn, Fe, Cu and Mn concentrations were measured. The obtained soil and leaf analysis results were compared with standard values and the fertility statusof orchards were determined. According to the soil analysis results 15% of the soil is clayey loam 74% of it is silty loam and 11% is loamy. 85% of the soil is slightly alkaline; 52% of the soils has medium-lime content, and 48% of it limy .18% of the soil is nun-saline,52% is slightly saline, 26% is moderate saline and 4% is very saline. Most of the soils have moderate to high organic matter content. If an assessment is made in terms of available nutrients, soils have sufficient nutrients in terms of P, Ca, Mg, Fe and Cu. While, K concentration of the 67 percent of the soils was found to be lower than sufficient level, it was found that all soils had Mn deficiency. When the analysis results of the leaf samples are compared with the limit values, 96% of plants were found to be over the limit value for N. 79% of leaf samples for P, 89% of samples for Fe, 93% of the samples for K were sufficient. All leaf samples had sufficient Ca, Mg, Cu and Zn concentrations. Looking at the leaf analysis results it seems that the main nutritional problem in banana trees is Mn with the deficiency of 33%.