Arabfields, Naïla Mokhtari, Correspondent, São Paulo, Brasil — Banana growers are being urged to pay closer attention to soil conditions and nutrient management as they seek to improve yields, fruit quality and the long-term productivity of their plantations.
The issue was highlighted in a recent report by Globo Rural, which addressed a reader’s question about how to fertilise banana plants, including the popular Prata variety. The guidance from Brazilian agricultural researcher Ana Lúcia Borges of Embrapa’s Cassava and Fruit Crops research centre underlines the importance of matching fertiliser applications to the needs of each plantation.
Banana plants require substantial quantities of nutrients, particularly potassium and nitrogen. Potassium plays a central role in fruit development, water regulation and the movement of sugars within the plant, while nitrogen supports leaf growth, the development of new shoots and overall plant vigour.
For growers, getting the balance right can influence both the size of banana bunches and the consistency of harvests. Insufficient nutrients can weaken plant growth and reduce the number of fruit-bearing hands, while excessive or poorly targeted fertiliser applications can increase costs without delivering proportional gains in production.
The first step, according to Embrapa’s recommendations, is a soil analysis. Testing allows farmers to establish which nutrients are already available and determine the quantities that need to be supplied. Without that information, fertiliser applications risk being either inadequate or unnecessarily expensive.
Organic materials can also contribute to soil fertility. Well-decomposed cattle manure, poultry manure and compost can improve soil structure and provide nutrients, although their composition varies and must be considered when calculating the overall fertilisation programme.
Timing and placement are equally important. Applying fertiliser in appropriate portions throughout the growing cycle can improve nutrient uptake and reduce losses, particularly in sandy soils or areas exposed to heavy rainfall. Fertiliser should generally be placed around the plant’s root zone rather than directly against the stem.
Water management also affects the results. Banana plants need a reliable supply of moisture to support growth and fruit development, but poorly drained soil can create additional problems. Combining appropriate irrigation with soil testing and a balanced nutrient programme can help farmers make better use of fertiliser inputs.
For small-scale producers, these practices can be particularly valuable because fertiliser represents a recurring production expense. Improving the efficiency of each application may help control costs while supporting more reliable harvests. Larger commercial farms can benefit from the same approach through improved nutrient planning across extensive plantations.
Looking ahead to 2027, rising attention to input costs and agricultural efficiency is likely to reinforce the importance of soil testing and more precise fertilisation. However, actual improvements in yield will depend on local soil conditions, rainfall, irrigation, plant variety and pest management.
The central message for growers is straightforward: there is no single fertiliser formula suitable for every banana plantation. A programme based on soil analysis, the plant’s growth stage and local production conditions offers a more reliable route to healthier plants and better-quality fruit.
