Relationship between the Morphometric and Nutritional Variables of Banana (Musa AAA) and the Formation of Maturity Bronzing

Banana (Musa AAA) can be affected by maturity bronzing, a physiological disorder that appears in the form of bronzing on the fruit’s epidermis, compromising its quality and generating economic losses due to commercial rejection. Since the symptoms are only evidenced at harvest, it is necessary to identify the associated factors in order to develop preventive strategies. This research analyzed morphometric and nutritional characteristics potentially related to the formation of the stain on two banana-exporting farms in Antioquia and Magdalena (Colombia). Monitoring parcels were established, wherein 120-170 productive units were evaluated over 52 weeks. In all units, the height, the pseudostem perimeter, the weight and number of hands of the bunch, and the weight of the affected fruit were recorded. In addition, foliar and soil analyses were conducted in each production unit, and some climatic components were characterized. Through multiple logistic regression, it was determined that a plant height lower than 3.0 m and a pseudostem perimeter lower than 70 cm (measured at 50 cm from the base) increase the probability of stain formation. On the other hand, foliar B and Zn concentrations higher than 100 and 22.5 mg/kg, respectively, reduced the incidence of this disorder. These findings provide new factors associated with maturity bronzing and open opportunities for future research aimed at its prevention.