Growth performance of Lacatan banana (Musa sapientum L.) fertilized with different brands of commercial organic fertilizer at Ilong Bukid, San Rafael, Iloilo conditions: A community based participatory research

Abstract

The study was conducted from February 26 to June 29, 2007 at Ilong Bukid, San Rafael, Iloilo. It determined the efficiency of the different brands of organic fertilizer on the growth of Lacatan banana and obtained baseline information for a follow-up study on farmer-researcher partnership on techno-transfer. The experimental treatments were laid out in a randomized complete block design with four replications. The experimental treatments consisted of three organic fertilizers namely: Bodega, Farmer’s Choice and D & T. Bananas applied with granular fertilizer and plants without fertilizers were used as basis for comparison. The rate of fertilizers was based on the recommended rate of 90- 30-120 kg of N, P₂O₅ and K₂O/ha. Results of the study revealed that bananas fertilized with Farmer’s Choice (C) were higher and had more functional leaves. Furthermore, inorganic fertilized bananas were bigger in trunk size but were not significantly (P>0.05) bigger than those fertilized with Bodega, D & T, and the unfertilized plants