LAUSR

Abstract The objective of this study was to assess the effect of planting densities, irrigation levels and bunch trimming on yield, fruit grading and water-use efficiency (WUE) of ‘Prata-Anã’ banana plants. The following factors were combined in a randomized block design: three irrigation levels (IL), 50, 75 and 100% crop evapotranspiration (ETc); four planting densities (PD)- 1,666; 2,083; 2,666 and 3,333 plants ha-1; and two bunch trimming treatments (BT), removal of either one or two hands from the bunch. The treatments were arranged in a split-split plot design. Irrigation level was assigned to main plots, PD to subplots and BT to sub-subplots, with four replicates. Measurements were made in the first production cycle. Removing two hands increased number of leaves, leaf area, leaf area index, fruit weight, fruit diameter, total hand weight and mean hand weight of ‘Prata-Anã’ banana plants. A plant density population of 3,333 plants ha-1 combined with an irrigation level at 75% ETc improves plant development and yield while maintaining fruit size and saving water, regardless of removal of one or two hands from the bunch.