Nitrogen

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Nitrogen (N) is the most important element for banana growth. It plays a role in chlorophyll production and in the synthesis of DNA and proteins. There is a close relationship between total nitrogen uptake and total dry matter production1 .

Symptoms of N deficiency

The first symptom of N deficiency is a reduced growth rate, resulting in yield reduction.

As N is redistributed quickly from old to young leaves2 , symptoms of N deficiency are observed in leaves of all ages. The leaves turn pale green, with the midribs, petioles and leaf sheaths becoming reddish pink3 . The distance between successive leaves is reduced (rosetted appearance).

N fertilization

N deficiency canbe corrected by a variety of nitrogen fertilizers. The most common ones are urea (CO(NH₂)₂), ammonium nitrate (NH₄NO₃), ammonium sulphate ((NH₄)₂SO₄) and potassium nitrate (KNO₃).

References

External links