EVALUATION OF BANANA CULTIVARS IN CONVENTIONAL AND ORGANIC CROP SYSTEM

The banana has social importance in generating employment and income and as a food source for people around the world. However, the growing demand for high quality fruits have contributed to the conversion of conventionally managed areas for organic management systems. However, there is no reliable information concerning the advantages of each type of management. Thus, with the goal of improved banana cultivars compared to conventional and organic agronomic traits were evaluated cultivar Caipira (AAA), Maravilha (AAAB), Ken Pacovan (AAAB), Prata Ana (AAB), Thap Maeo (AAB) and Tropical (AAAB) grown in the two systems. In addition to agronomic traits, it was assessed the production and productivity and nutritional status of banana, quantifying the concentration of minerals in samples taken from the third leaf. Data were subjected to analysis of variance and means were compared by the Scott Knott test and Tukey test at 5% probability. The cropping system affects the agronomic parameters of banana, especially the cultivar Thap Maeo that had good agronomic characteristics and can be easily used in organic system. Agronomic cultivars differ, independent of the management system adopted.