Behavior and characteristics of the cape leaf during the development of the banana bunch (Musa AAA).

Abstract

In order to determine the characteristics and behavior of the cape leaf during bunch development, measurements were carried out in 3 commercial banana plantations in the Caribbean region of Costa Rica. Bending or collapse of the petiole of the cape leaf occurred more often 3 to 4 weeks after flower emergence, and decreased gradually until the beginning of harvest. At least 73-79% of the plants did not show cape leaf bending, while in those cases where bending occurred it felt over the neighboring lower leaves in 5-9%, over the bunch in 11-15%, and on the side of the bunch in 3-5% on the cases. On the average, when the cape leaf bent over the bunch, there  was contact in 28-42%, and the rubbing damage due to the contact  was observed in only 0-6% of the cases. The contact occurred more frequently with the first or second basal hands, and was caused mainly by the lamina 78-98%. The dimension and foliar area of the cape leaves that remained erectuntil harvest were always greater (p = 0.0001) than those that were bent. The cape leaf showed smaller dimensions (p < 0.0001) than the third positional leaf of the same plant in the 3 regions. The cape leaf showed higher foliar content of P, Ca, S and B (p < 0.0017) and lower of Zn (p = 0.0375) than the third positionalleaf of the same plant.  There were no differences (p > 0.1941) in the foliar content of N, K, Fe, Cu, and Mn.