Agricultural Benefits of Postharvest Banana Plants

A brief introduction to banana plant and its different morphological parts has been presented. Traditional and reported uses of different morphological parts have been discussed. Post-harvest banana plant is of no use or little use. Keeping in mind the prospective uses of banana plant in lieu of potash in agriculture, reported nonrenewable sources of potash of mineral origin have been discussed. Banana plant is a rich source of potassium chloride and potassium carbonate. The importance of these two chemicals and their reported sources and uses, have been discussed. A brief survey on banana producing countries across the globe, global majors of potash exporters and consumers is also presented. Towards the end, an outline of the book chapters can be seen.

Materials and methods for the extraction and analysis of banana plant pseudo-stem juice have been discussed. The pseudo-stem consists of nearly 95% juice and less than 5% fibers. The juice is quite rich in potassium and oxalate, moderately rich in sodium and chloride. In addition, nitrate, phosphate and a couple of heavy metals in trace concentrations have been detected. Two important bioactive organic molecules, namely (E)-4- (4-methoxyphenyl) but-3-en-2-one and (1E,4E)-1, 5-bis- 4-methoxyphenyl)penta-1,4-dien-3-one, have been isolated from the juice, and characterized.

Materials and methods for the use of banana plant pseudo-stem juice in the cultivation of rice paddy have been discussed. The yield of paddy from the soil treated with banana plant pseudo-stem juice is compared with that from the soil treated with muriate of potash. Juice treated soil shows a higher number of seeds per panicle, higher average seed weight as well as higher yield per unit of land as compared to potash treated soil. Overall yield in juice treated soil is 10% more than that in potash treated soil, and 40% more than that in soil not treated with potash. Thus, the banana plant pseudo-stem juice is a better replacement for potash fertilizer. Colour pictures of experimental plots are displayed.

Banana plant pseudo-stem juice is a rich source of potash and used in the cultivation of wheat. Use of the juice in lieu of muriate of potash affords a higher number of seeds per plant as well as a higher per capita weight of seeds. The juice treated soil affords 60% more yield over that in soil treated with muriate of potash; 89% more as compared to the yield from normal soil not treated with muriate of potash. Materials and methods have been discussed. Colour pictures of experimental plots are reported.

Banana plant pseudo-stem juice is highly rich in potash. Its effectiveness in the cultivation of mustard has been compared with that of muriate of potash. Juice treated soil affords 23% more yield as compared to that in soil treated with potash; 65% more than that in soil not treated with potash. Number of pods per plant as well as average seed weight per 100 pods are also higher if commercial potash is replaced by organic potash available from banana plant pseudo-stem juice. Thus, the banana plant pseudo-stem juice provides a better alternative to commercial potash fertilizer. Colour pictures of cultivation have been reported.

Banana plant pseudo-stem juice is rich in potassium, which is present in organic form. Its use in chili cultivation has been discussed. If banana plant pseudostem juice is used in lieu of muriate of potash, 20% more yield is achieved. As compared to potash treated soil, juice treated soil affords a higher number of chilies per plant, a higher average per capita weight of chili as well as a higher total yield per unit of land. Overall yield in juice treated soil is 16-fold higher as compared to that in normal soil and 5-fold higher as compared to that in soil treated with urea and super phosphate fertilizer but not with potash. Thus, organic potash present in banana plant pseudo-stem juice is a better replacement for commercial potash fertilizer.

The use of potash-rich banana plant pseudo-stem juice in the cultivation of brinjal (eggplant) has been discussed. The yield of brinjal (aubergine) from the soil treated with banana plant pseudo-stem juice is significantly higher as compared to that from the soil treated with muriate of potash. Juice treated soil shows a higher number of brinjals per plant, higher average per capita weight as well as higher yield per unit of land as compared to potash treated soil.The overall yield from juice treated soil is 34% more as compared to that from potash treated soil; nearly 200% more than that from soil not treated with potash. Thus, the banana plant pseudo-stem juice is a better replacement for potash fertilizer. Colour pictures are reported.

Materials and methods for the preparation and analysis of banana plant pseudo-stem fiber ash aqueous extract have been discussed. The extract is highly rich in potassium and carbonate, moderately in sodium and chloride. In addition, nitrate, phosphate, and 12 other heavy metals in trace concentrations have been detected. The extract is so rich in potassium and carbonate that it is a prospective renewable source for the isolation of potassium carbonate. The origin of carbonate in the extract is the oxalate present in the pseudo-stem fibers.

Materials and methods for the isolation of potassium chloride from banana plant fiber ash aqueous extract have been discussed. The extract, after neutralization with hydrochloric acid, affords a solid which consists of nearly 90% of potassium chloride. The solid is a prospective table salt alternative, especially for individuals suffering from hypokalemia and high blood pressure. Fractional crystallization of the solid affords potassium chloride of 96% purity, which can find other applications.

Materials and methods for the isolation of potassium carbonate from banana plant fiber ash aqueous extract have been discussed. The extract is highly rich in potassium and carbonate. The soluble component of the banana plant pseudo-stem fiber ash is about 32%, of which 89% is K2CO3. Potassium carbonate of 93% purity can be isolated from the soluble component by fractional crystallization. Thus, banana plant pseudo-stem is a viable and renewable source of potassium carbonate. There is practically no source of potassium carbonate in nature.