Determination of phenological and pomological features and seasonal changes of nutrient and hormones in some new banana clones

The objective of this study to evaluate the new banana cultivar-clones (Williams, MA13, Jobo and CV 902) to Dwarf Cavendish which can be grown subtropical conditions compare their yield and quality features, seasonal changes of nutrients and hormones on leaves and the level of internal hormones within structure in green and eating stages under protected cultivation in Alanya condition.The research was conducted during 2008 and 2009 under plastic greenhouse conditions in Kargıcak district of Alanya. The greenhouse structure was made of iron and 7.5 meters high at the center and tapered down to 5.5 meters at gutter level. The plants were multiplied by meristem culture and when the shoots reached 40 cm were planted at the height of 0.5 and at the width of 1.5 plant beds in 3 m intervals and 1.8 m on line. Drip irrigation system was used. A mini meteorology station recording temperature and relative humidity was placed inside the greenhouse. The following measures were taken: pseudostem circumference, pseodostem height, plant height, total leaf number, active leaf number and days from shooting to harvest were used as morphological features; hands number, finger number, bunch weight, productivity per pseudostem section and yield per hectare and finger weight were used as productivity features; the finger circumference, fruit coat weight, fruit coat thickness, pulp ratio and water soluble dry material amount criteria were used as pomological features and changes on fruit color were determined according to types and clones. Correlations were determined between all morphological and pomological features, productivity components.In addition to these features, months were chosen to represent each season for determining nutrition and hormone concentrations in leaves. Accordingly February (at the beginning of vegetation period) was chosen to represent winter month; May (plant growth and development period) was chosen to represent spring month; August (bunch emerge period) was chosen to represent summer month; November (harvest period) was chosen to represent autumn month. Overall four different periods were taken into consideration. Hormone activities in fruits were determined based on cultivars and clones in green and eating stages.As a result of this research, in the analyzed morphological criteria, the highest values for pseudostem circumference, pseudostem height, total and active leaf number and bunch stalk circumference, were found in Willimas cultivar.The highest values for plant height and days from shooting to harvest were determined in MA 13 clone. In terms of all analyzed morphological criteria, the lowest values were recorded in Dwarf Cavendish type. When types and clones were evaluated in terms of yield components, Williams cultivar had the highest value for hand number; CV 902 clone had the highest value for finger number; MA 13 clone had the highest value for bunch weight and yield per pseudostem section and yield per hectare.When evaluated in terms of pomological features, MA 13 clone was the highest for finger weight, finger length, fruit peel weight, fruit peel thickness, pulp ratio as it did in productivity components. However, there were no significant differences detected between types and clones in means of fruit peel color, L value, C value and H values.Macro and micro nutrient elements detected in banana cultivars and clones leaves showed differences based on cultivar-clone and periods. Results of this research demonstrated that nitrogen, one of macro nutrients element was the highest during May (plant growth and development period) and lowest in November (harvest period); the highest phosphorous level was detected in November and lowest during August (bunch emerge period); potassium was detected highest in August and lowest in November.The highest values for other macronutritients calcium and magnesium were detected during August period. Sodium content was highest during May. In addition to this, depending on banana type and clones, seasonal changes were seen on micro elements. For example, among the analyzed micro elements, Iron concentrations were detected lowest in February and highest in May; copper concentration was on the contrary detected the highest in February and lowest in August.Hormones detected on leaves showed differences according to cultivar-clones and periods. The amount of endogenous indole acidic acid (IAA) was found at minimum activity in all cultivars and clones at the beginning of vegetation period (February) with a continuous increase. During the bunch emergence period (August) it reached the highest activity. The amount of endogenous gibberellic acid (GA3) was detected at minimum level at the beginning of the vegetation period (February) and showed continuous increase from bunch emergence to harvest. Contrary to other two hormones, the amount of endogenous abscisic acid (ABA) detected was highest at the beginning of vegetation period (February) and the lowest at bunch emergence period (August) and harvest period (November) in all cultivars and clones. Zeatin (Z) another analyzed hormone was detected lowest at the beginning of vegetation period (February) and highest at the bunch emergence period (August) as in the case of IAA. Endogenous hormone activity showed differences in all cultivars and clones during the green and eating stages in fruits. IAA, GA3 and Z were higher in green stage than eating stage. Endogenous ABA was not detected in the hormone analyzes conducted on fruits in either stages.The results obtained in terms of analyzed yield and quality criteria in cultivars and clones used in this research demonstrated that new types and cultivars are superior to Dwarf Cavendish. Based on our findings, MA 13 clone, Williams cultivar, CV 902 and Jobo clones could be recommended, respectively especially in terms of yield under protected cultivation.