Analytical Sciences

Quick Method to Quantify the Potassium and Sodium Content Variation in Leaves of Banana Varieties

Vadivel ARUNACHALAM, Cristabel M FERNANDES, and Diksha C SALGAONKAR

Horticulture Section, ICAR-CCARI (Indian Council of Agricultural Research-Central Coastal Agricultural Research Institute) Ela, Old Goa, Goa 403402, India

The current study describes novel and quick methods for the quantification of K⁺ and Na⁺ in banana leaves using Horiba Laqua twin ion meters. Foliar K⁺ and Na⁺ content measured by ion meter significantly correlated with standard test values by coefficients of 0.83 and 0.46, respectively. About 48 absorbance values associated with potassium concentrations at wave numbers (1581 to 1583 and 3194 to 3410 cm⁻¹) and 15 sodium associated wave numbers (3773 to 3996 cm⁻¹) predicted potassium and sodium content with regression coefficients of 0.999 and 0.588, respectively. K⁺ and Na⁺ cations of fresh leaves in seven banana varieties were quantified using ion meters and new information of differences in the foliar potassium and sodium contents was found between banana varieties within the AAB group. The Rasbali (Silk subgroup) variety possessed greater potassium (5413 mg/L) and sodium (188 mg/L) ions than Amti (Mysore subgroup).

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