Bananas Grown in Salt Affected Soil Impairs Fruit Development in Susceptible Cultivars

Abstract

Problem soils primarily affect plant growth through roots either directly or indirectly with a combination of osmotic and ionic stress. Banana is sensitive to the salinity effect. Banana fruit development studies were undertaken in four banana genotypes, Saba (ABB), Ney Poovan (AB), Nendran (AAB), and Robusta (AAA) in salt-affected soil ( pH 8.1 and EC 1:2.5 = 3.1 ). The study revealed that the tolerant genotype Saba could maintain fruit development. The conversion of sugars into starch was not affected in the fruit. The salt susceptible banana cultivars Nendran and Robusta could not produce normal fruit development as they suffered from the poor conversion of sugars into starch in the pulp. The Saba genotype seems to be effectively excluding the sodium salt at the root or cellular level to maintain the physiological functions of the plant.