Growth and Yield Performance of Banana (Musa acuminate L.) as Affected by Different Farm Manures

This study was conducted at the Integrated Sustainable Agri-Techno Demo Farm (ISATDF) of the Pangasinan State University, Sta. Maria Campus, Sta. Maria, Pangasinan from October 15, 2013 to August 18, 2014 with a duration of 308 days. This study aimed to determine the growth and yield performance of banana (Musa acuminata L.) as affected by different farm manures. Specifically, it attempted to: (1) determine the effect of different farm manures on the growth and yield performance of banana; and to (2) determine the cost and return of the different farm manures. The experiment was laid out using the Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD). The Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was used to evaluate the differences between treatments using F-test at 5 and 1 percent levels of significance and the Duncan’s Multiple Range Test (DMRT) was used to evaluate the differences among treatment means. The treatments used were the following: T1 – chicken manure, T2 – cow manure, T3 – goat manure, and T4 – hog manure. The results revealed that the application of chicken manure recorded the tallest plants (5.27 cm), most number of suckers (340). The application of chicken manure and goat manure significantly increased the mid-trunk diameter (25.63cm) and (25.62 cm); finger length (14.33 cm) and (13.13 cm); finger diameter (3.60 cm each); and weight of fruits (450kgs each). Net income and return on investment (ROI) were also influenced by chicken manure and goat manure. Application of chicken manure and goat manure significantly enhanced the yield quality attributes and income of banana compared to the other sources of organic manure.

Keywords: farm manures, mid-trunk, suckers, hands, fingers, bunch