MICRONUTRIENTS DEFICIENCY ON THE NUTRITIONAL STATUS OF BANANA PRATA SEEDLINGS

ABSTRACT The knowledge of the requirements and micronutrients efficiency in banana is relevant to the development of fertilizer recommendations. This study aimed to evaluated requirements and nutritional efficiencies of banana seedlings submitted to omission of micronutrients in nutritive solution. Treatments were complete nutritive solution and solution with individual omission of B, Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn, and two Prata-Anã and BRS Platina hybrid genotypes. Leaf area, dry matter of leaves, rhizome, roots and total and micronutrient contents were determined. With results, the following indexes were calculated: uptake, transport and micronutrient utilization efficiency. B deficiency effected more intensely the growth of both banana genotypes. The nutrient uptake corresponded to the following sequence: Fe > Mn > Zn > B > Cu, which reflects the plant requirements. The BRS Platina hybrid showed higher B, Fe and Zn absorption efficiency in relation to Prata Anã cultivar, which had higher Cu absorption efficiency. BRS Platina hybrid showed higher efficiency in the transport of Fe and Mn, while Prata Anã only for Cu. Prata Anã cultivar showed higher micronutrient utilization efficiency in complete treatment and treatment with omission of micronutrients.