The objective of this study was to verify appropiate N sources (ammonium sulfate, ammonium nitrate, calcium nitrate and urea) for banana and to determine the application rate for maximum physical and economic efficiency. The experiments were conducted in northern semiarid region of Minas Gerais in Red Latosol and Red-Yellow Latosol. The experimental design was in randomized blocks with 20 treatments and four repetitions. The treatments were arranged in (4 x 5) factorial, being four N sources (ammonium sulfate, ammonium nitrate, calcium nitrate and urea) and five N rates (0, 100, 200, 400 and 800 kg ha-1 year-1). The N increased production in the 1st cycle of banana grown in the Red-Yellow Latosol, where N rates for maximum physical efficiency were 521, 471, 410, 424 kg ha-1 and to achieve maximum economic efficiency were 105, 204, 260 and 5 kg ha-1 for ammonium sulfate, ammonium nitrate, urea and calcium nitrate, respectively, with urea being the most efficient source of nitrogen. In the 2nd and 3rd cycles N reduced production. In the Red Latosol, no effects of N on the variables of plant growth and production were observed in the 1st and 2nd cycles of banana.
nutrition; Musa sp.; Latosol
