Banana fruits with high content of resistant starch: Effect of genotypes and phosphorus fertilization.

ABSTRACT

Banana fertilization practices aim to increase agricultural yield and the effects of these practices on fruit components have not been well explored. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of phosphate fertilizer levels on production parameters and accumulation of dry matter, phosphorus, starch and resistant starch in green fruits. Four banana genotypes were cultivated under the same cultural practices, with varying levels of phosphate fertilizers during three production cycles. Bunches were harvested and evaluated for total fruit mass, average finger mass and yield. Fresh green fruit pulps were analyzed for dry matter, phosphorus, starch and resistant starch content. The results showed that the effects of phosphate fertilizer were genotype dependent and that the increase of P2O5 rates applied in banana fertilization promoted an increase in fruit production with higher levels of phosphorus, starch and resistant starch.