@article{3216,
author = "L.D. Gbaraneh and T.N. Chile",
abstract = "Field experiments were conducted in 2017-2018 at Port Harcourt and Bori to determine the most appropriate planting spacing for optimum growth, yield and quality of plantain (Musa sp) for the zone. Planting spacing (treatments) used were : 1.5m x 1.5 m, 2m x 1,5m, 2m x 2m, 2m x 2.5m, 2m x 3m (control), 2.5m x 3m and 3m x 3m, replicated three times in a randomized complete block design (RCBD). Results showed that flowering in plantain crop was significantly delayed by closer spacing but was earlier with wider spacing. Wider spacing increased plants pseudostem girth, number of green leaves and LAI at flowering. The closest plant spacing (1.5m x 1.5m) produced the tallest plants at flowering, gave the least bunch weight of 11.63 and 13.84 kg/plant and highest total bunch yield of 33.3 and 36.8 t/ha at Port Harcourt and Bori sites respectively. On the other hand the widest planting spacing (3m x 3m) gave the highest bunch weight of 25.78 and 28.13 kg/plant and lowest total bunch yield of 21.8 and 24.3 t/ha, at Port Harcourt and Bori sites respectively. The intermediate planting spacing 2m x 3m and 2m x 2.5m gave higher bunch weight that were similar to the widest planting spacing and also higher bunch yield that were similar to the closest planting spacing at the respective sites. Since they possess high bunch yield in addition to good marketable fruits quality, were acclaimed winners for both domestic and industrial consumption, followed by 2m x 2m planting spacing.",
issn = "23191473",
journal = "IJAIR",
keywords = "Plantain;Spacing;Competition;Yield;Port Harcourt and Bori",
month = "July",
number = "1",
pages = "66-77",
title = "{E}ffects of {P}lanting {S}pacing on the {G}rowth and {Y}ield of {F}irst {C}rop of {P}lantain in the {H}igh {R}ainfall {A}gro-{E}cology of {S}outh-{S}outh {N}igeria",
volume = "9",
year = "2020",
}