Agronomic Performance of Banana Genotypes under Agroecological Management in the Semi-arid Region of Paraiba, Brazil
Marília Hortência Batista Silva Rodrigue
Postgraduate Program in Tropical Horticulture, Federal University of Campina Grande (UFCG), Pombal, PB, Brazil
Oscar Mariano Hafle
Federal Institute of Alagoas, Campus Maragogi (IFAL), Maragogi, AL, Brazil
Ednaldo Barbosa Pereira Junior
Federal Institute of Paraiba, Campus Sousa (IFPB), Sousa, PB, Brazil
Valéria Fernandes de Oliveira Sousa *
Postgraduate Program in Tropical Horticulture, Federal University of Campina Grande (UFCG), Pombal, PB, Brazil
Francisco Edu de Andrade
Federal Institute of Rio Grande do Norte (IFRN), Natal, RN, Brazil
Danielle Maria do Nascimento
Postgraduate Program in Tropical Horticulture, Federal University of Campina Grande (UFCG), Pombal, PB, Brazil
Francisco Romário Andrade Figueiredo
Postgraduate Program in Agronomy, Federal University of Paraiba (UFPB), Areia, PB, Brazil
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Introduction: Northeastern Brazil is a banana producing zone where the selection of banana tree genotypes has significantly increased crop productivity.
Aims: The study aimed to evaluate the agronomic performance of different banana-tree genotypes under agroecological management in northeastern Brazil.
Methodology: The experiment was conducted in the orchard of the Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of Paraíba following a randomized complete block design with nine treatments (banana tree genotypes) in four replications. Banana tree seedlings used as planting material were provided by Empresa Campo Biotecnologia. They were produced by micropropagation of plantlets. Cropping was handled following agroecological practices. Growth measurements and yield data regarding the the first crop cycle were recorded.
Results and Conclusions: Significant differences in yields and yield traits within banana-tree genotypes were observed. Prata Graúda and Grande Naine genotypes came out on top in terms of agronomic performance under agroecological practices.
Keywords: Musa sp, auto-sustainability, fitotecnia, fruticulture, interior