From Jim Moore, Coelbren, Powys, UK
James Wong’s verdict on the poor efficacy of banana skins as plant fertiliser was spot on. However, it is likely that the widely reported benefits attributed to banana skins for gardeners are down to their polyphenol content (11 January, p 44).
It has been shown that an application of polyphenols can act as an antioxidant and increase protein functionality in most plant species. They aren’t fertilisers, but work more like catalysts, enhancing certain metabolic activities.
