Effect of banana leaf pruning on legume yield in banana-legume intercropping systems in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

Abstract

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Effect of banana leaf pruning on banana and legume yield under intercropping in farmers fields in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo

“…The non-significant effect of leaf pruning on bunch weight and yield, when leaf pruning was moderate (five remaining leaves' and 'all leaves)', was reported also by Ntamwira et al (2012). Although not significantly different, the average yield of banana with seven leaves at Burhale was higher than banana yield of plants with no cut leaves (control).…”

“…Some farmers practice banana leaf pruning when planting beans (Katungu, 2011;Mirindi, 2011). This practice enhances light penetration to ground level and thus positively influences legume growth and yield due to increased in interception of light (Ntamwira et al, 2013). There are, however, no quantitative data available on the effect of banana leaf pruning during the months of legume intercropping on growth and yield of banana and legumes.…”

Sustainability of banana-based agroecosystems affected by Xanthomonas wilt disease of banana

“…The time to harvest was not significantly (P> 0.05) affected by both the banana leaf pruning treatments and the intercrops. This is consistent with finding by Ntamwira et al (2013) for banana-legume intercrops in which banana leaves were reduced to 5 and 7. The reduced performance of the banana crop attributes with the subsequent reduction in number of functional leaves could be primarily due to the reduced photosynthetic capacity and production of assimilates for growth and partitioning into the storage organs and increase in evapotranspiration with declining canopy cover.…”

“…AND10) and soybeans. Similar observations were reported by and Ntamwira et al (2012; for banana-legume intercrops.…”

“…No banana leaf cutting was carried out during the dry seasons, to mimic farmers practice. Leaf cutting is mainly done during the rainy season to allow for adequate sunlight to reach the shorter crops planted within banana fields (Ntamwira et al 2012. Weeding was carried out monthly, while desuckering was done at the beginning of the annual cropping season.…”