Impact of Nutrient Dynamics on the Growth and Yield of Young Banana (Musa sp.) Suckers in the Arid Region of Lasbela, Pakistan

Decreasing soil fertility in banana (Musa sp.) plantations poses a thoughtful challenge to sustainable production, particularly in arid environment. Imbalance fertilization has enhanced soil degradation and dropped productivity, threatening farmer livelihoods. This study explored the influence of nutrient dynamics on the growth and yield performance of three-year-old banana suckers in the dry and arid environment of Lasbela, Pakistan. Six banana orchards (BO1, BO2, BO3, BO4, BO5, and BO6) were selected, and a completely randomized design (CRD) was employed. A total of 60 soil samples were collected at depths of 0-6 cm, 6-12 cm, and 12-18 cm in the three replications within three depths. The soils ranged from silt to sandy loam, presenting medium levels of organic matter (1.261 +/- 0.008, 1.245 +/- 0.009, and 1.153 +/- 0.04%), total nitrogen (0.530 +/- 0.011, 0.527 +/- 0.004, and 0.515 +/- 0.001%), and available phosphorus (8.978 +/- 0.003, 7.916 +/- 0.048, and 7.774 +/- 0.001 mg/kg) in BO1, BO2, and BO3 respectively, while BO5 and BO6 exhibited reasonably lower. Potassium concentration was highest in BO1 (203.333 +/- 2.371 mg/kg), followed by BO2 (194.0 +/- 1.46 mg/kg) and BO3 (192.333 +/- 0.62 mg/kg), with the lowest value perceived in BO6 (146.33 +/- 2.23 mg/kg). Bicarbonate levels were not significantly different (p > 0.05), however; carbonate content indicated a negative and significant correlation (p < 0.05) across six orchards. Correlation matrix analysis observed strong positive relations among soil and plant growth parameters, except for carbonate, which showed an inverse relationship. Overall, the integrated use of organic and inorganic fertilizers was initiating to improve soil fertility and structure, enhance nutrient availability, and endorse better banana growth and yield. These results highlight the significance of balanced nutrient management for maintaining soil health and ensuring sustainable banana production in arid environments.