ABSTRACT
In the Brazilian Northeastern region, banana cropping occurs in sites where there are soils presenting variable depths. The water dynamics in deeper soils may change minerals directly inherited from rock and increase nutrients availability. In this study, the aim was to evaluate the nutrient contents in shallow and deep Cambisols, as well as the nutritional status and yield of banana plants cropped in these soils. In order to study soil fertility, it was used the split plot design with two treatments in the main plots (shallow and deep soils) and six treatments in the subplots (soil sampling depths: 0 – 10, 10 – 20, 20 – 30, 30 – 40, 40 – 50 and 50 – 60 cm). In order to evaluate the nutritional status and crop yield, two treatment factors were assumed (shallow and deep soils) and 30 replicates. The concentrations of macro and micronutrients in both soil and plant tissue were determined, as well as other chemical attributes of soil for fertility evaluation, and fruit yield. The deep soil presented higher values of phosphorus (P), potassium (K), sodium (Na), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), potential acidity (H + Al), organic matter (OM) and exchangeable sodium percentage (PST). Organic matter, sum of bases (SB), bases saturation (V%), Fe, and Mn were higher in the soil surface. The nutritional status of banana plants was favored in the deep soil, mainly regarding contents of nitrogen (N), P, K, boron (B), Cu, and Mn. It resulted in higher weight of bunches and higher yield in the deeper soil.
Key words
irrigated fruits productio; effective soil depth; Musa sp