Growth and production of ‘Prata Anã Gorutuba’ banana under different planting densities

ABSTRACT Increased planting density, different types of thinning management, and the use of beneficial microorganisms have been adopted as strategic tools in the effort to increase crop yields in a sustainable manner. This investigation evaluated the growth and production of ‘Prata Anã Gorutuba’ banana ( Musa spp., AAB) under different plant densities during two production cycles in the semiarid region of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Micropropagated plantlets were also inoculated with endophytic bacteria and cultivated as part of two mat management strategies. Planting density varied between 1,680 and 3,920 plant ha–1. During the experiment, water was less than optimal because of rationing due to drought in the region. Under field conditions, there was no difference between bacterially inoculated and non-inoculated plants. The dense planting system increased the crop cycle. The highest-density planting treatment (3,920 plant ha–1) resulted in the highest yield in the first cycle, but no net income was observed. However, the high-density planting treatments resulted in the highest yields and gross incomes in the second production cycle. Management with thinning of plants up to 10-months-old and thinning up to harvest associated with high planting density increased the length of the production cycles. Although the water restriction experienced in the first and second crop cycles, the vegetative and productive traits of ‘Prata Anã Gorutuba’ banana did not compromise the objectives of this study.