Diagnosis of soil fertility and banana crop nutrition in the state of Santa Catarina

Abstract Soil fertility and nutritional imbalance are among the main limitations in banana production. The present study aimed to diagnose soil fertility and nutrition of bananas trees cultivated in the state of Santa Catarina, southern Brazil. Leaf and soil samples were collected, and banana yield was quantified in 2018 and 2019 in 53 orchards in the regions of ‘Vale do Itajaí’ and northern coast of Santa Catarina. Although orchards had satisfactory yield (42 t /ha/year), limitations related to soil fertility and banana crop nutrition were evident. The observed yield is 59.6 % of its full potential. Liming is still recurrent, mainly before orchard establishment. Fertilizer application is widespread, but in many cases, doses are overestimated. Ca, Zn, Cu, and B contents increased in leaves emitted in periods of higher soil water availability and higher temperatures. The results highlight the influence of weather conditions on the supply of these nutrients to banana plants. Nutritional factors are the main limiting factors in banana production in the state of Santa Catarina, compared to non-nutritional factors.