A field experiment was carried out in the South Coastal region of Bahia State, in order to define nitrogen (N) rates for maximum physical and economical efficiency, as well as the best nitrogenous fertilization, either mineral or organic, for 'Terra' banana (Musa sp. AAB, Plantain subgroup). The trial was started in May 1998, in a 4m x 2m x 3m spacing, using a microsprinkler irrigation. In a randomized blocks design with six treatments and four replications, were studied five levels of mineral nitrogen (0, 50, 200, 350 and 500 kg/ha/year), supplied as urea, and one treatment with cattle manure (267 kg/ha/year of N), as source of organic nitrogen, applied on the soil surface. Nitrogenous fertilization affected plant height, number of fruits per bunch, and fruit length and diameter in the first plant cycle (duration of 528 days, on the average). There was no significant effect of increasing rates and sources of nitrogen on yield, but the organic fertilization increased the number of fruits per bunch and the fruit length.
Musa sp.; plantain, nitrogen; cattle manure; urea
