The integrated use of biostimulants improves the agronomic and productive performance of commercial Cavendish banana (Musa AAA) plantations in Ecuador

Intensive cultivation of Cavendish bananas (Musa AAA) in Ecuador faces significant challenges linked to abiotic stresses (water deficit, waterlogging, low root oxygenation) and biotic stresses—most notably Black Sigatoka (Pseudocercospora fijiensis), which reduces functional leaf area and compromises productivity. Against this backdrop, the integration of biostimulants formulated with enzymatic protein hydrolysates enriched with free amino acids, silicon, and seaweed extracts was evaluated as a supplement to traditional phytosanitary management to improve crop physiological stability and productivity. The study, conducted at a commercial coastal plantation, compared conventional commercial management against an integrated program incorporating biostimulation (totaling 14 application cycles across the three products). Key variables were measured: functional leaf spacing (distance between leaf 1 and leaf 8 as a proxy for canopy compaction), bagging per hectare, average bunch weight (lb), return index, and estimated productivity (boxes ha⁻¹), alongside an assessment of Black Sigatoka control efficacy. Results indicated that biostimulation promoted a significant increase (30%) in functional leaf spacing, implying improved light distribution and ventilation. This structural improvement was accompanied by significant increases in bagging per hectare (+6.2%), average bunch weight (+2.60 lb), and estimated productivity (+6.3%), without compromising phytosanitary efficacy. Robust statistical analysis (Welch’s t-test; α=0.05) confirmed the consistency of these effects. In conclusion, the integrated biostimulation program acts as a positive modulator of productive efficiency in Cavendish bananas under real-world commercial conditions; it optimizes canopy architecture and reproductive dynamics, thereby contributing to the sustainability and profitability of the intensive production system.