Efficiency and viability of use of controlled release fertilizer in the banana crop (first production cycle)

• Grant number: 15/15633-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: October 01, 2015
• End date: September 30, 2016
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Agronomy - Soil Science
• Principal Investigator: Leandro José Grava de Godoy
• Grantee: Camila Aparecida Nunes de Souza
• Host Institution: Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Registro. Registro , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Brazil is the fifth largest producer of banana. São Paulo State is the 2nd largest domestic producer. Vale do Ribeira region, southern São Paulo, is the largest production hub in the State, and its production is based on small and medium-sized farmers who have little knowledge about fertilization management techniques. Although the climate of the area can be considered favorable for the cultivation of banana, high rainfall concentrated in the months that fertilization is performed and planting in hilly terrain on some farms contribute to increase losses by leaching and runoff. The present study aims to evaluate the efficiency of fertilization using enhanced-efficiency fertilizers and their feasibility of use by producers of the Vale do Ribeira. The experiment will be conducted for one year in a banana production property, first cycle, located in Registro, São Paulo. The experimental design will be in blocks, with six treatments and six replications, namely control treatment (without fertilizer), reference treatment with conventional NPK parceled out in four times, and four NPK fertilizer managements controlled-release fertilizers in six months (100%, 75%, 50%, 25% of the recommended dose). Plant growth characteristics, nutritional status, volatilization of ammonia, productivity and chemical characteristics of the soil in the treatments will be evaluated. (AU)