Combined effects of organic, inorganic and biological nutrient inputs with phytosterols on growth and yield of banana (Musa spp., cv. Poovan)

This study analyzed how combining different nutrient types with phytosterols influenced the growth and yield of Banana (Musa spp., cv. Poovan). This study is with ten treatments which includes the combination of Bio NPK liquid consortia with different levels of vermicompost (4kg, 8kg per plant), neem cake (1 kg, 2 kg per plant), campesterol and stigmasterol (0.1%, 0.2%) and inorganic fertilizer at three different levels such as (RDF 100%, RDF 75%, RDF 50%) arranged in a randomized block design (RBD) with three replications. The results showed that (T9) 75% RDF + Vermicompost @ 4 kg plant⁻¹ + Neem cake @ 1 kg plant⁻¹ + Bio NPK liquid consortia + Campesterol & Stigmasterol (SL) @ 0.2% demonstrated superior performance across all parameters such as plant height (88.27, 155.86, 206.51 and 267.62 cm) at 3 MAP, 5 MAP, 7 MAP and shooting. Pseudostem girth (32.72, 42.63, 52.19 and 64.42cm) at 3 MAP, 5 MAP, 7 MAP, shooting. Phyllochron (7.02 days), Days taken from planting to shooting (237.28 days), Days taken from shooting to Harvest (106.42 days), Total crop duration (343.70 days). T1-RDF 100% (Control) showed the lowest performance. Similarly in yield attributes such as number of fingers per hand (15.33), number of fingers per bunch (186.11), bunch weight (19.43 kg/plant), total yield (43.91 t/ha) was found to be maximum T9-75% RDF + Vermicompost @ 4 kg plant⁻¹ + Neem cake @ 1 kg plant⁻¹ + Bio NPK liquid consortia + Campesterol & Stigmasterol (SL) @ 0.2%, while the lowest values were noted in the T1-RDF 100% (Control) exhibiting the least desirable outcomes. Based on the findings, it can be concluded that application of T9 75% RDF + Vermicompost @ 4 kg plant⁻¹ + Neem cake @ 1 kg plant⁻¹ + Bio NPK liquid consortia + Campesterol & Stigmasterol (SL) @ 0.2% is the most effective practice for enhancing the growth and yield attributes.