Simulation and Characterization of Macro-Nutrient Deficiency Symptoms of Abaca (Musa textilis Née var. Inosa) Grown Using Nutrient Film Technique (NFT)

This study was conducted in order to determine the effects of macronutrient deficiency to the morpho-physiological and biochemical properties of abaca. Randomized Complete Block Design was used in the study with three nutrient omissions (N, P & K) replicated three times with 12 samples per treatment replicate. This was conducted at the National Abaca Research Center screenhouse, Visayas State University, Baybay City, Leyte. Abaca under N and K deficiency produces the shortest plant height, pseudostem length, pseudostem girth, leaf length and leaf width. N deficient plant produces the smallest total leaf area while P deficient plants reduce pseudostem length and leaf width of abaca. However, P deficient plants showed comparable effects to the plant height, pseudostem girth, leaf length and total leaf area of abaca plants with complete nutrients. Furthermore, chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b content of abaca was lowest under N deficiency while control, P and K deficient plants showed comparable results. Free radical scavenging activity was also lowest under N and K deficient plants. Stomatal aperture was lowest under N, P & K deficient plants while P deficiency decreases stomatal length. These results suggests that abaca is more sensitive to N and K deficiency as most of the morpho-physiological and biochemical properties of abaca was significantly reduced under these conditions.