Effects of molasses alcohol fermentation liquor on yield, quality of banana, physical and chemical properties of soil

ObjectiveUnder the condition of integration of water and fertilizer, the effects of molasses alcohol fermentation liquor(MAFL) on growth, quality and yield of banana, and physical and chemical properties of soil in banana plantation were studied in order to provide references for recommending MAFL returning quantitative technology in Guangxi banana plantation. MethodThe conventional fertigation was used as the control, and the comparative test was conducted in banana plantation by using 120 t/ha of MAFL(Brix 7.8) combining with conventional fertigation. The yield, quality traits, leaf nutrient elements of different cropping bananas and soil nutrient elements were investigated between two treatments at different stages. ResultIt found that the plant height, diameter width, green leaves, weight and length per fruit finger for the MAFL treatment performed better than those of the control , as well as flower budding rate and yield per plant. The fruit peel diameter of treated banana increased by 2.4%-5.2%, and the harvested time was shortened 3-5 days. As a result, the yields of the 1st generation plantlet cropping(planted in 2012), the 1st and 2nd cropping ratoons(planted in 2011 and 2010, respectively) for MAFL treatment were 49312.5, 53437.5 and 52875.0 kg/ha, which increased by 5.62%, 8.78%and 6.82%as compared to the control;and their banana net income increased by 5100.0, 8137.5 and 6750.0 yuan/ha. Furthermore, MAFL application also presented well fertilizing effects on soil of banana plantation. The total K and N, available K, organic matter contents of soil in banana plantation showed increasing trend at varying degree; of which, the content of total K in soil for the 1st cropping banana plantation was 0.27%(absolute value) higher than that of the con-trol, and the available K was 2.77 times higher than that of the control. ConclusionUnder the condition of integration of water and fertilizer, applying 120 t/ha of MAFL in banana plantation shows significant improving roles on banana growth and yield, enhancing soil fertility, so MAFL could be used as a supplement fertilizer source for integration of water and fertilizer in banana plantation.