Anthracnose intensity and physical and chemical characteristics of ‘Prata anã’ banana under different nitrogen doses

Abstract

Abstract The balanced supply of nitrogen to fruit trees leads to higher fruit quality and reduced incidence of diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate anthracnose intensity and the physical and chemical characteristics of ‘Prata Anã’ banana under different nitrogen doses. Regarding anthracnose intensity, N doses of 150, 200, 250, 400 and 600 kg ha-1 were used. The Area Under the Incidence Progress (AUIPC) and Severity Curves (AUSPC) were evaluated. The physical and chemical characteristics were: fruit and pulp mass; soluble solids; starch; total, reducing and non-reducing sugars; coloration and nutrient concentration in peel, evaluated every three days for 15 days. Plants fertilized with N doses of 200, 250 and 400 kg.ha-1 had lower AUIPC values and the application of 250 kg.ha-1 reduced AUSPC in fruits inoculated with C. musae. N, P and K increased in banana peel, fruit and pulp mass, soluble solids, starch, total sugars, reducing sugars, with increasing N doses. There was no difference in the contents of micronutrients in fruit peel. N dose of 600 kg.ha-1 reduced the shelf life of fruits and provided higher sugar content and higher disease severity.