Modelling the response of the PIF plantain seedlings toTithonia diversifoliaand clam shells treatments in the nursery

Abstract

1112 Abstract 13 The seeds availability is the main constraint for the agricultural explosion in sub-Saharan 14 Africa countries. In the case of plantain, there is a lack of seedlings in quantity, but also in 15 quality. The advent of the PIF method was an excellent opportunity to improve the 16 availability of plantain seeds, although the quality is not fully guaranteed. Indeed, the PIF 17 plants produced have posed many problems during the acclimation period indicating a need 18 for solutions to improve their quality. Recent researches done with five treatments using 19 Tithonia diversifolia and clam shells have highlighted the improvement of the PIF seedlings 20 quality in terms of growth promotion (biofertilizer action) and protection against black 21 Sigatoka disease (biofungicide action). It seemed essential to determine the best model for 22 robust PIF seedlings. The aim of this study was to analyse the different models that have 23 enabled the production of improved PIF seedlings and to determine the best one. We have 24 modelized the response of PIF seedlings to the different treatment's protocols. It turns out that 25 the best treatment to apply is T5 (T. diversifolia liquid extract), followed by T4 (T. 26 diversifolia mulch). However, depending on the expected response in the PIF seedlings, all 27 these treatments have proven to be impactful. Tithonia diversifolia liquid extract model is the 28 best and in combination with clams, could be useful to boost the production at low cost and 29 without chemical inputs of large amount of improved vigorous (clean and less susceptible) 30 planting material, impacting thus the food security and poverty alleviation. 31 32