Abstract

Bio fertilizer was applied to “Grand Naine” plantain, and its effect on the physicochemical and sensory characteristics of the plantain was studied. Two treatments were established: I) Bio fertilization (BIOF); and II) Conventional fertilization (CONV) practiced by farmers. When BIOF was exclusively applied as a fertilization strategy, similar values (p > 0.05) were obtained, like the ones in CONV, in all physical characteristics assessed in the fruits. In the fruits' chemical composition, difference in sugar and vitamin C (p < 0.05)contents was found; the contents in fruits coming from BIOF were higher. The difference in sugar content, also detected and verified by trained judges, scored BIOF fruits with a 2.62 value versus 1.36 for CONV ones in relation to sweetness descriptor. These results demonstrate that biofertilization can replace synthetic fertilizers action on plant nutrition, and consequently can lead to the obtaining of fruits with similar quality, higher sugar and ascorbic acid contents.

Key words: Sweetness, Musa, sensory evaluation, Bokashi, ascorbic acid.