Effects of manure application on yield and quality attributes of banana in Oman

Funding: Omani Government
Duration:  2010-2013
Author: Khair Tuwair Said Al Busaidi

Banana(Musa acuminate) is one of the most important crops in the Sultanate of Oman, ranking second after date palm(Phoenix dactylifera) in terms of cultivated area and production. The majority of soils in the Sultanate have low levels of organic carbon due to a very high temperature and low rainfall. Given their sandy texture, they are also very low in nutrient availability. In addition, soil salinization in the study region has increased in recent years. Banana is a nutrient-demanding crop, which is why large amounts of mineral fertilisers are used to compensate for such poor fertility. This not only increases the cost of banana production, but it also puts ground water at risk of contamination. In this context, organic farming systems may provide alternative methods of production. Manure composts may be used as soil amendments and lead to a more balanced supply of nutrients to the crops grown, and reduce the accumulation of salts through enhanced drainage and sorption of toxic ions. At the same time, there is evidence to suggest that the use of organic soil amendments may lead to product quality improvements. This PhD research aims to investigate the effect of organic amendments on banana yield and quality in Oman, as well as studying the turnover processes of organic amendments in saline tropical soils with regard to the relationship between microbial biomass activities and N mineralisation.