Which Fertilizers Are Best for Plantain Production In Nigeria?

Plantains are often mistaken as bananas due to their striking resemblance but their taste varies. Banana fruit contains a much sweeter taste but plantains, on the other hand, require fastidious simmering or frying before they can be consumed. Though some people tend to eat their raw and raw plantains often itch and have little sweetness compared to bananas.

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To best enjoy a plantain, it should be cooked or fried. However, plantains are hugely produced in Nigeria and are very lucrative to local farmers.

Plantains are mostly gotten from the southern parts of Nigeria in states like Akwa-Ibom, Imo, Enugu, Rivers, etc. It’s one of the major staples in Nigeria and the price range are always affordable. Most families in Nigeria enjoy plantain during breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

The sweetest thing about plantains is that you can savor them in different styles like porridge plantain, plantain chips, roasted plantain, and the rest. Sometimes it’s paired with fried eggs and bread, tea, rice, beans (which is most preferred by Nigerian students), pap, or plantain pizza.

Nigeria is the fourth largest producer of plantain globally with about 2.8 million metric tons per year. Some other West African countries such as Ghana massively produce the fruit. Plantains like some other fruits pack lots of benefits for health, skin, and body, and some of these benefits include; antioxidants, fiber, potassium, vitamins, etc.

Plantains become toxic to health when fried or cooked with so much oil or salt as it increases your potential weight gain. Naturally, plantain already contains a little of these substances itself, so to be on the safe side, you add little of these ingredients when prepping your plantain.

Also, plantains are of two types, ripen and unripe plantains. You only differentia them through their unique colors. Mostly, the unripe plantains are green in color while the ripped ones have yellow colors. Basically, the unripe ones are used to prepare plantain porridge and it’s said to have a high amount of iron while the rip is paired with beans after being roasted.

Plantains acclimate to high temperatures. They grow well when exposed to sunlight as well as partial shade. But when exposed to sunlight, it’s of essence that more water is sprinkled on the roots regularly. Constant exposure to sunlight helps plantains to grow to an extent. Hence, to get the full results you want for your plantain growth it’s vitally important you add fertilizers to the plantain crop.

As important as fertilizer application is, you should take note or be more intentional on the type of fertilizers you add to your plantain roots.

If you grow plantains and are looking for the best fertilizer to suffice your plantain tree with, read this article.

Potassium Nitrate

The main goal of every farmer is for their crops to grow ten times as they should and if you’re looking to attain that with your plantain plants then using this potassium nitrate fertilizer is ideal.

This fertilizer known as KNO3 mixes nitrogen in nitrate form with potassium and is chloride-free. Its solubility makes it easy for plants to absorb when pelted down on it. The fertilizer basically helps to strengthen the cell walls of the plant and its ability to yield properly, thereby improving the quality 9f the fruits.

As it strengthens the plant’s cell wall, it makes it more immune to pests and diseases which cannot affect the outcome of the plantain fruit. Also, it facilitates the photosynthetic processes of the plantain and their CO2 utilization which is among the salient factors that a plant needs for growth.

This potassium nitrate is best applied when watering the plant. First and foremost, mix the potassium nitrate with the water you’re about to use and then shower it in the dry topsoil. To achieve a good result, you should apply the potassium nitrate mixture at constant intervals and watch your plantain fruits grow well.

Droppings Of Animals And Ashes From Fire Woods.

An organic fertilizer suits all types of plant crops. These organics are usually derived from cattle droppings and chicken excreta. Apply these derivatives to the root of your plantain fruit before and after cultivation as it helps to yield more fruit as well as flowers.

Like the animal dropping are nestled at the roots of the plantain, so are the ashes of fire woods. It’s a good source of phosphorus, magnesium, and potassium needed for the growth of your plantain crop.

Potassium Sulphate

To enhance your plantain’s resistance to pests and diseases as well as gain an overall improvement in your plantain fruits, you should apply this fertilizer to your plantain. Like potassium nitrate, this is equally soluble in water and is optimal for drip irrigation.

Having packed with high potassium content just like potassium nitrate, it’s best used during the pre and post-flowering stages of a crop. This potassium Sulphate contains about 51% of potassium and 17% of sulfur.

Potassium Silicate

This is yet another quality fertilizer for your plantain tree. Sometimes it’s manufactured in a viscous form like the Eco Growth Express fertilizer. This fertilizer gives your cell wall the rigidity it needs to resist diseases or pests that are harmful to your plantain crops.  Plus, the fertilizer helps to regulate the plantain’s salt tolerance. It’s essential for your plantain to maintain a moderate amount of salt and this potassium Silicate will aid you in this.

Muriate Of Potash

Murata potassium also known as potassium chloride is another one of the fertilizer you can apply to your plantain. Although it aids in your plantain production and toughening of your cell wall and resistance against pests, it can hike the salt level of your plantain crop and the soil which brings about negative results.

To avoid scenarios like that, applying the fertilizer in accordance with the information outlined by the manufacturer is important for the overall well-being of your crop.

Potassium Humate Fertilizer

This type of fertilizer is in black powdered form and aids in improving the soil structure and conditions for better growth of your plantain crop. This fertilizer is derived from leonhardite and is veritably organic, best for farmers that practice purely organic farming methods.

It also helps to improve nutrient absorption of your plantain crop through the leaves and roots as the fertilizer can be sprinkled on the leaves.

Conclusion On Which Fertilizers Are Best Plantain Production In Nigeria

For a bountiful harvest of plantain crop, small and large-scale farmers are expected to apply fertilizers on their plantain crops whether they practice pure organic farming or not. With the application of fertilizer during the pre and post-cultivation stage, your plantain crops will yield fruits times ten what they should have yielded initially.

However, you should be intentional when adding the fertilizer to avoid over-application of the needed amount so as not to increase the amount of salt your plantain crop will contain.

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