“Evaluación del crecimiento y producción de plátano Barraganete con aplicación de Paclobutrazol en altas densidades.”

Abstract

Plantain is a crop of great economic and social importance in Ecuador, being fundamental for food security and employment generation in rural areas. In pursuit of improving the productivity and quality of the crop, this research evaluated the growth and production of barraganete plantain with PBZ application. An experiment was conducted using a randomized block design with a three-factor arrangement (3x2x3), where three planting densities (1111, 2222, and 2777 plants ha-1), two PBZ dosages (4 and 8 cc L-1), and three application frequencies (1, 2, and 3 times) were evaluated. The results showed that a planting density of 2777 plants ha-1, combined with a single application of 4 cc of PBZ, achieved the highest yield, with 42.07 t ha-1, while a density of 1111 plants ha-1 resulted in a significantly lower yield of 12.94 t ha-1 with three PBZ applications. Regarding bunch weight, the 4 cc PBZ dosage promoted greater development, with an average weight of 12.8 kg per bunch, compared to 11.8 kg obtained with the 8 cc dosage. Additionally, the application frequency had a considerable impact, as a single PBZ application resulted in a yield of 28.9 t ha-1, while three applications reduced production to 22.8 t ha-1. These findings suggest that the agronomic management of plantain through a combination of high planting densities and adequate PBZ application can optimize crop productivity. In conclusion, a density of 2777 plants ha-1 with a single application of 4 cc of PBZ is the most effective strategy to maximize yield and quality of plantain, highlighting the importance of proper agronomic management in tropical agriculture.