ISHS Acta Horticulturae 275: International Symposium on the Culture of Subtropical and Tropical Fruits and Crops
MODELLING DEMAND FOR NITROGEN IN THE BANANA |
| Author: | D.W. Turner |
| Abstract:
Technology is available to allow the almost continuous supply of nitrogen fertilizer to a banana plantation through an irrigation system. A knowledge of the demand for nitrogen by the plantation would influence decisions on the frequency and amount of nitrogen to be applied. A model of demand for N was developed. The amount of growth expected is estimated from intercepted radiation and temperature. The amount of N needed to meet this growth is estimated assuming the concentration of N in the dry matter is 1 per cent. Using the model the proportional distribution of demand throughout the year was calculated for Israel and subtropical Australia. Considerable differences were observed in the spring months. Most of this difference is attributable to the low leaf area index values in Israel in the spring compared to subtropical Australia. Under Australian conditions 50 per cent of the annual demand for N occurred before mid summer but in Israel only 34 per cent had occurred by then. | |
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