The effects of different biofertilizer applications on growth-development, yield and some fruit quality parameters of cavendish group banana cultivars (Musa spp. AAA)

In the current agricultural production models, the use of chemical fertilizers is quite common to increase the yield per unit area and consequently the quality. However, it must be noted that this brings along several problems such as environmental, soil and water pollution. Since banana is a C-4 crop, it absorbs high amounts of plant nutrients from the soil during the vegetation period. Nevertheless, the increase of fertilizer costs in recent years has increased production inputs and producers have sought alternative methods. In this context, biofertilizer use has become prominent. But no comprehensive research on the use of biofertilizers in banana production has been reported in the studies carried out so far. Therefore, in this study, it is planned to study the effects of different biofertilizer applications on plant growth-development, yield, and certain fruit quality parameters of two different banana cultivars cultivated in greenhouse. The research was carried out between 2022 and 2023 in Antalya Akdeniz University, Faculty of Agriculture, Horticulture Research and Application area. Grand Nain and Williams banana cultivars propagated by tissue culture were used in the study. For this purpose, Biofertilizer I (Mycorrhiza, Trichoderma spp. and Bacillus spp.), Biofertilizer II (Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, Bacillus pumilus, Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus licheniformis, Bacillus megaterium, Trichoderma harzianum, Trichoderma konigii) and Biofertilizer III (Pseudomonas fluorescens, Paenibacillus polymyxa, Bacillus megaterium, Pantoea agglomerans) were inoculated on the roots of banana seedlings before planting. The bananas were planted in April 2022 and indoor and outdoor temperatures were regularly recorded throughout the cultivation period. Morphological and phenological characteristics, yield components and yield results were analyzed. The findings of the study indicated that the indoor temperature and relative humidity values of the greenhouse were higher than the outdoor temperature and humidity values during the winter months of cultivation. This had a positive effect on the growth and development of the plants. Biofertilizer I application increased the number of hands and fingers in both cultivars. Finger length of Grand Nain cultivar was higher than Williams cultivar. Biofertilizer III application increased finger length in both varieties. Finger length was 20.92 cm in the control application and 22.06 cm in the Biofertilizer III application. In addition, Biofertilizer III yielded better results in terms of finger weight, TSS, bunch weight at harvest and days from flowering to harvest. As a result of the study, yield per decare was determined as 4.54 tonnes in Biofertilizer III application and 3.74 tonnes in Control application. Considering all the results, we can say that the biofertilizer treatments gave better results compared to the control.