Different types of soil mulches in the leaf anatomy and physiology of 'BRS Platina' banana in a non-irrigated management

Abstract

Banana is among the world´s most popular fruits and it is consolidated in the international market. The largest abiotic constraint threatening banana production is water stress, in rainfed area, judicious use of water is essential for increasing the area under crop production with inadequate water supply. Under such situation the uses of moisture conservation measures are essential, such as the use of mulching of organic materials and synthetic materials. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of different mulches types in physiological and anatomical characteristics of banana 'BRS Platina' in a non-irrigated management. The experiment was conducted on a farm, located in the city of Lavras. The treatments were: black polyethylene films, double-sided polyethylene films (white and black), organic mulch and control (bare soil). The analyzes performed in the first and second crop were: anatomical analyses, gas exchanges, chlorophyll content, relative chlorophyll index, relative water content, and protoplasmic tolerance. Correlation analysis evidenced the association between yield parameters photosynthetic rate, and stomatal conductance, with high and medium correlation values respectively. Correlations were also observed between chlorophyll a and b, and number of fruits, and number of hands, with high and medium correlation values respectively. Both organic and inorganic (plastic film) mulch are efficient in increasing chlorophyll content and gas exchanges characteristics, but do not influence the anatomical characteristics, relative water content, and protoplasmic tolerance in the first and second crop. Both organic and inorganic (plastic film) mulch can be used in the cultivation of banana 'BRS Platina' under non-irrigated management.