Effects of Water Supply during Floral Initiation and Differentiation on Female Flower Production by Robusta Bananas

Abstract

SUMMARY A continuous non-limiting soil water supply, or a non-limiting supply from 120 to 180 days after planting, significantly increased (P = 0.01) female flower production of banana cv Robusta compared with continuous soil water stress. Relieving stress after 120 days produced a significantly higher (P = 0.05) average number of female flowers per inflorescence than when adequate water was supplied throughout. Female flower production is positively correlated with the average growth rates at floral initiation and early floral differentiation and with the final pseudostem girth.