Determination of plant, fruit yield and quality characteristics of organically and conventionally grown Dwarf Cavendish and Grande Naine banana cultivars

In this study, Dwarf Cavendish and Grande Naine banana cultivars which are widely grown in Turkey of organic and conventional agriculture in plant, fruit yield and quality characteristics were compared. The study, plant characteristics such as the pseudo-stem diameter and height (cm), plant height (cm), number of active leaves (pieces), the diameter of the peduncle (cm), the time from the formation of the bunch to the harvest (days) and the harvest date; yield parameters such as the number of hands, hand weight (g), number of fingers in hand and bunch, bunch weight (kg), yield per cross-section area (g/cm2) and yield per decare (ton/da); and fruit quality characteristics such as finger weight (g), finger diameter and length (cm), fruit skin thickness (mm), fruit skin weight (g), fruit ratio (%), total soluble solids (TSS), pH, acidity, fruit skin and flesh color measurements were made. In addition, sensory analyzes performed on fruits of organic and conventionally grown cultivars. As a result of the study, there was no effect of the organic and conventional production system in terms of plant height, number of active leaves as well as bunch weight and yield per decare. However, organically grown Dwarf Cavendish and Grande Naine cultivars had a higher fruit weight (162.35 g and 190.81 g respectively) and length (22.18 cm and 23.46 cm, respectively). Sensory tests showed that the fruit taste of organically grown bananas has a better fruit flavor. As a result, we can say that Dwarf Cavendish and Grande Naine cultivars were hopeful for organic cultivation.