Effect of Basal Density of Mulched Materials on the Growth and Fruiting Performance of Table Banana (Latundan var.)

This experiment aimed to find out the effect of basal thickness of mulched materials on the growth and fruiting performance of table banana (Latundan var.). The experimental field was a portion of an existing table banana plantation. It was laid out using Randomized Complete Block Designwith three replications. The four treatments were designated as follows: T0 (control – no mulch applied); T1 (applied with 15-cm thick mulch); T2 (applied with 30-cm thick mulch); and T3 (applied with 45-cm thick mulch). Results showed that table banana clumps mulched with organic materials at 30-cm thick appeared most favorable with the highest increase in plant height (319 cm) and number of suckers produced (4.25). The highest weight of fruit bunch and fruit hand were obtained by plants mulched at 45- cm thick with weights of 6.64 kg and 0.87 kg, respectively. The above findings were statistically significant from the control treatment.

Keywords: banana fruiting, fruiting performance, growth performance, mulching, mulching thickness, organic fertilization