Tentative zinc biofortification of banana fruit via bunch spray and bunch stalk feeding

Due to the importance of banana consumption in developing countries and producing zinc-rich foods, the objective of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of banana bunch sprays and bunch stalk feeding with Zn aiming to biofortify this fruit. Zn sprays were carried out with a dose of 80 g ha−1 using ZnCl2 and ZnCl2 combined with a chelating agent in two banana cultivars (‘Maravilha’ and ‘FHIA 18’). Bunch stalk feeding with Zn was carried out by fixing plastic bags on the stem end containing solutions of ZnSO4 (0, 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 g L−1) in two banana cultivars (‘Williams’ and ‘Prata Anã’). Both strategies resulted in a maximum fruit Zn content of 0.14 mg 100 g−1. Although it was possible to increase the Zn content in banana fruit from ‘FHIA 18’ and ‘Prata Anã’ cultivars, both strategies did not result in biofortified banana fruit with a Zn level which would fulfil the Zn dietary reference intake (DRI) of 2 mg dia−1 for children. Banana bunch sprays with Zn did not affect the fruit quality, but bunch stalk feeding with Zn resulted in fruits with lower ratio, pH and ascorbic acid content.