the effect of a seaweed biostimulant, kelpak, on banana (musa … · 2016-07-15 · a091 the effect...

A091

The effect of a seaweed biostimulant, Kelpak,on banana (Musa acuminata) yields in South AfricaAdriaan F. Lourens1 and Errol L. Tozer 2

1 Kelp Products (Pty) Ltd P.O. Box 325, Simon’s Town 7995, South Africa. Ph:+27824661401 E-mail: riaan.lourens@kelpak.com2 Agrisearch P.O. Box 868, White River 1240, South Africa. E-mail:tozer@mweb.co.za

®

IntroductionSeaweed has been used in farming practices for centuries. In recenttimes more refined seaweed products are used as biostimulants in cropproduction. Kelpak, produced from the seaweed species Ecklonia maxima,uses unique low temperature cell burst technology. This process maintainsthe raw kelp’s delicate, active compounds in Kelpak, making it a uniqueauxin dominant product.Kelpak application rates, methods and timings were evaluated in threetrials on banana.

Results and discussionTrunk injection – 2004: Two 50 ml applications of 0.5% and 1% Kelpaksolutions were injected 30 cm above soil level with a sharp hollowneedle at pre-flower and fruit fill stages. A negative effect was observedin bunch mass at harvest (data not shown).2008: Application method terminated.

Bell injection – 2004: Two 50 ml applications of 10% and 20% Kelpaksolutions were injected at cigar leaf emergence (photograph) and beforebell drop. No effect on bunch mass was recorded (data not shown dueto 10-fold rate error). 2008: 1% and 2% Kelpak increased bunch mass by15% and 12% respectively. 2010: 1% Kelpak increased yield by 11%.

Soil drench – 2004: Two 400 ml applications of 0.5% and 1% Kelpaksolutions were poured on the soil around the plant base at pre-flowerstage and again at fruit fill. Treatment had no effect on bunch mass.2008: 200 ml of 0.5% and 1% Kelpak applications gave increases of 5%and 10% respectively. 2010: Application method terminated.

Foliar spray – 2004: Mist blower applications at 2 L and 4 L Kelpak in300 L water/ha applied 5, 4, 3 and 2 months before estimated harvestgave 10% and 15% increases in bunch mass respectively.2008: 2 L/ha and 3 L/ha Kelpak gave increases of 16% and17% respectively. 2010: 2 L/ha and 3 L/ha Kelpak applied four timesincreased bunch mass by 11% and 17% respectively. Two 3 L/haapplications 5 and 3 months before harvest also gave 17% yield increase,while two applications 4 and 2 months before harvest had no effect.None of the treatments had an effect on hands per bunch or fingers perhand, indicating larger fruit rather than more fruit (data not shown).

ConclusionSimilar to many other crops, the results indicate that Kelpak foliar applicationat 3 L/ha on banana may improve yields significantly, with returns of US$4000/ha at current market value. If bell injection is used for pestcontrol, it provides an option for Kelpak application at a 1% rate(improvement of US$3000/ha). Kelpak continues to be a valuable assetto the farmer in improving banana yields.

Period of study

Locations

Crop

Statistical design

Treatments

Cultivation

Measurements

2004 to 2011

Commercial farms in Mpumalanga Province, South Africa

Williams variety banana

Randomized block, 6 single plant replicates per trial

Soil drench, trunk injection, bell injection, foliar spray

Standard fertilizer and pest and disease control practices

Bunch mass, hands per bunch, fingers per hand

Materials and methods

Fig 1. Effect of Kelpak on Banana Yield 2004 - 05 season

Bu

nch

mas

s (k

g)

Bell inj.10 %

31.3

40

30

20Bell inj.

20 %

31.3

Drench0.5 %

32.5

Drench1 %

28.3

Spray4 x 2 L

34.5

Spray4 x 4 L

36.3

Control

31.5

bc bcab

c

ab

a

bc

Fig 2. Effect of Kelpak on Banana Yield 2008 - 09 season

Bu

nch

mas

s (k

g)

Bell inj.1 %

35.5

40

30

20Bell inj.

2 %

34.8

Drench0.5 %

32.5

Drench1 %

34.2

Spray4 x 2 L

36.1

Spray4 x 3 L

36.1

Control

31

abcbc

dc

ab a

e

Fig 3. Effect of Kelpak on Banana Yield 2010 - 11 season

Bu

nch

mas

s (k

g)

Bell inj.1 %

32.3

40

30

20Bell inj.

2 %

30.8

Control

29

abbc

Spray4 x 2 L

32.1

ab

Spray4 x 3 L

34

a

Spray E2 x 3 L

33.9

a

Spray L2 x 3 L

28.8

c c