Development and productivity of ‘Terra Maranhão’ plantains influenced by soil fertilization with nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium

Abstract

Plantains are plants of the genus Musa that require substantial amounts of nutrients applied to the soil, highlighting nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P₂O₅) and potassium (K₂O) as being the most critical. This nutrient demand is often unmet in the acidic soil, highly weathered and presenting low natural fertility. Mineral fertilizers are used to correct deficiencies in soil nutrients and enhance crop productivity. Establishing optimal application rates is essential for the success and sustainability of agricultural systems. This research aimed to evaluate the effects of different fertilization rates of N, P₂O₅ and K₂O on the parameters of growth, development, and productivity of ‘Terra Maranhão’ plantain in Brazil. Seventeen combinations of N (0–700 kg ha⁻¹), P₂O₅ (0–450 kg ha⁻¹) and K₂O (0–1370 kg ha⁻¹) were assessed. The design used was randomized blocks with three replications, each plot consisting of 10 plants. Data were subjected to regression analysis, which tested polynomial and linear univariate models. Fertilization with N, P₂O₅ and K₂O significantly influenced the growth, development and productivity parameters, fitting quadratic or linear univariate models. The quadratic models showed maximum physical efficiency rates for the productivity parameters ranging from 430 to 513 kg ha⁻¹ of N (p < 0.001), 281–285 kg ha⁻¹ of P₂O₅ (p < 0.001), and 723–868 kg ha⁻¹ of K₂O (p = 0.001 to p < 0.001), resulting in a bunch mass of 45.9–46.2 kg, average hand mass of 4.12–4.13 kg, and productivity of 61–62 t ha⁻¹. Plants with a pseudostem circumference of 95 cm, pseudostem height of 4.5 m and 16 leaves per plant presented productivity greater than 65 t ha⁻¹. These findings contribute to the optimization of the ‘Terra Maranhão’ plantain production system, providing recommendations for fertilization rates of N, P₂O₅ and K₂O that maximize productivity in a shorter production cycle.