Articles
Soil fatigue in Israeli banana plantations: definition and development of a mitigating cultivation protocol
Article number
1367_9
Pages
81 – 86
Language
English
Abstract
Soil fatigue due to rapid deterioration of soil fertility results in decline in yields and severe losses for Israeli banana producers.
In the Jordan Valley region, a 29% decline in yield level was recorded 5 years after planting, and 40% in the 10th year.
As a result, 10 to 12 years after planting, cultivation in the plots have to be terminated, and soil fertility recovered through 3 to 5 years of crop rotation with low-value crops.
The causative agent(s) of soil fatigue in Israel are poorly understood.
To resolve the losses incurred by Israeli farmers, a novel, disinfectant-free cultivation protocol, designated short-term double row,, was developed and tested for the elimination of soil fatigue, thereby securing stable and high yields for a longer cultivation period.
In the Jordan Valley region, a 29% decline in yield level was recorded 5 years after planting, and 40% in the 10th year.
As a result, 10 to 12 years after planting, cultivation in the plots have to be terminated, and soil fertility recovered through 3 to 5 years of crop rotation with low-value crops.
The causative agent(s) of soil fatigue in Israel are poorly understood.
To resolve the losses incurred by Israeli farmers, a novel, disinfectant-free cultivation protocol, designated short-term double row,, was developed and tested for the elimination of soil fatigue, thereby securing stable and high yields for a longer cultivation period.
Authors
G. Or, I. Elingold, A. Londener, Y. Bar-Noy, O. Bakhshian, N. Galpaz
Keywords
Musa acuminata, subtropical conditions, soil-fertility, yield loss
Groups involved
Online Articles (39)