Desuckering effect of KH2PO4 mixed with paclobutrazol and its influence on banana (Musa paradisiaca AA) mother plant growth

This study investigated the desuckering effect of a 2:1 mixture of KH2PO4 (KDP) and paclobutrazol (PBZ) and its influence on banana mother plant growth, fruit yield, and quality. The mixed reagent was injected into suckers sprouting from 5-month-old banana (Musa paradisiaca AA) plants after removing the above-ground part of the suckers. Compared to control plants, treatment with the KDP/PBZ mixture significantly reduced superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, and catalase activities but increased malondialdehyde content at sucker growth points and in adjacent tissue after 1 d. There was evidence of damage to the cellular structure at sucker growth points after 2 d of treatment, with an increase in intercellular space as well as rupturing and death of most cells. All suckers died 3 d later, resulting in a mortality rate of up to 100%, and there was no subsequent regrowth of the dead suckers; indicating that a single application of the KDP/PBZ reagent is a viable desuckering practice. Relative to the control, the treatment of suckers also indirectly increased the height and stem diameter of mother plants, which was associated with increased fruit yield (yield per plant, weight per hand, weight per fruit, transverse and longitudinal diameters of fruit fingers) and enhanced nutritional quality of the fruits (edible fraction, soluble solid, titratable acidity, vitamin C, and moisture content). These results indicate that a 2:1 KDP/PBZ mixture can effectively remove banana suckers while improving fruit yield and the quality of the mother plant. The proposed desuckering practice can help to address challenges associated with banana production such as difficulties in desuckering and preventing sucker regrowth, minimizing fertilizer waste, and high costs.