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

Ocimati, W.

doi:10.18174/505782

Cited by 2 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 110 publications

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“…Intercropping of bananas with annual and perennial crops is common and inevitable in East and Central Africa due to the small farm sizes and the need to meet multiple household needs (Gambart et al, 2020; Ntamwira et al, 2021; Ocimati, 2019; Ocimati et al, 2018; Sivirihauma et al, 2017). Farms are continuously and intensively cultivated in this region hastening land degradation and yield reduction (Blomme et al, 2020; Niroula & Thapa, 2005; UBOS, 2010).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mucuna pruriens, Crotalaria juncea, and chickpea (Cicer arietinum) have the potential for improving productivity of banana‐based systems in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo

Blomme¹,

Ntamwira²,

Ocimati³

2022

Legume Science

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Intercropping banana and shorter annual crops in small holder systems is inevitable despite shade being a limitation. Current production is also limited to the wet seasons. Strategies to exploit the spaces under banana shade and drier seasons are crucial for optimal production of these systems. We determined the performance of two legume cover crops, Mucuna pruriens and Crotalaria juncea, and chickpea (Cicer arietinum), a grain legume, under different banana shade levels and over the wet and dry seasons in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Banana and legume monocrops served as controls. Shade reduced weed biomass and legume root nodulation, biomass, and grain yields. Chickpea root nodulation had a lower sensitivity to shade (3-9% reduction) compared with mucuna (30-60%) and crotalaria (31-71%).Legume biomass yield declines varied from 37-83%, 56-93%, and 80-98% for mucuna, crotalaria, and chickpea, respectively. Higher nodulation occurred in the rainy compared with the dry season. Biomass yield declines, albeit low occurred in the dry season for mucuna (15%) and crotalaria (30%). In contrast, chickpea biomass and grain yields increased by 394% and 4487%, respectively, in the dry season. A higher banana vegetative growth occurred in the intercropped plots. Land equivalent ratios of 1.15-1.34 under dense shading for mucuna and crotalaria and 1.10-1.62 for chickpea occurred irrespective of the seasons. These findings suggest that these cover crops and chickpea could be exploited to enhance biomass (for fodder, mulch, or manure) and grain yields under banana shade and over the drier seasons.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mucuna pruriens, Crotalaria juncea, and chickpea (Cicer arietinum) have the potential for improving productivity of banana‐based systems in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo

Blomme¹,

Ntamwira²,

Ocimati³

2022

Legume Science

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“…This research was conducted in the framework of the Roots, Tubers and Banana program of the CGIAR (CRP RTB). This manuscript forms a significant part of Chapter 7 of the thesis Ocimati [69] and its publication is in adherence to the university and journal polices.…”

Section: Acknowledgmentsmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Multi-Objective Model Exploration of Banana-Canopy Management and Nutrient Input Scenarios for Optimal Banana-Legume Intercrop Performance

et al. 2021

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Bananas on smallholder farmers in the African Great Lakes region are often pruned to illuminate shorter understory intercrops, reducing overall farm profitability. The impact of this practice on environmental and nutritional indicators are not known. This study determined the effect of this practice on operating profit, protein yield, soil organic matter (SOM) balance, and nitrogen input; and the management options for optimal performance of the intercrops. Alternative scenarios for improving soil nutrient balances of the system were also explored. Data from an experiment intercropping bush beans with banana at three leaf pruning levels (i.e., retaining all, seven, and four leaves) was used as the input for the multi-objective optimization FarmDESIGN model. Retention of four functional leaves mimicked a worst-case scenario observed on farms. Banana and bush bean monocrops served as controls. The model maximized operating profit, protein yield, and SOM, and minimized nitrogen input. Nutrient input scenarios in which (i) farmyard manure was only applied at planting (business as usual (‘BaU’)); and ‘BaU’, was combined with (ii) hedges, (iii) inorganic fertilizers, (iv) hedges and goat manure, (v) hedges and inorganic fertilizers, (vi) inorganic fertilizers and goat manure, and (vii) hedges, inorganic fertilizers, and goat manure, were also explored. Severe banana leaf pruning reduced profitability, SOM, and protein yield, although it’s less nutrient demanding. In contrast, the “un-pruned banana-bush bean intercrop” and “sole banana crop” had a higher profitability, SOM balance, and protein yield, whereas they demand more soil nutrients. No profound improvements in operating profit, SOM balance, and protein yield occurred for ‘BaU’, while hedges resulted in mild improvements. Profound improvements in all objectives occurred with the addition of the inorganic fertilizers, while goat manure resulted in a high SOM balance and N input. For ‘BaU’ and hedges, “severely pruned banana-bush bean intercrop” dominated the optimal solution set for improving farm performance. In contrast, when the inorganic fertilizers and/or goat manure was introduced, “un-pruned banana-bush bean intercrop” and/or “sole un-pruned banana crop” were the optimal solutions. The study confirms severe leaf pruning to negatively impact profitability, while the more profitable un-pruned crop options are unsustainable without external input of nutrients. Thus, investments in external inputs are crucial for a sustainable banana-intercrop system. The FarmDESIGN model made the trade-offs and synergies in this complex intercrop system explicit, thus was also helpful for field-level decision making.

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

Cited by 2 publications

References 110 publications

Mucuna pruriens, Crotalaria juncea, and chickpea (Cicer arietinum) have the potential for improving productivity of banana‐based systems in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo

Mucuna pruriens, Crotalaria juncea, and chickpea (Cicer arietinum) have the potential for improving productivity of banana‐based systems in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo

A Multi-Objective Model Exploration of Banana-Canopy Management and Nutrient Input Scenarios for Optimal Banana-Legume Intercrop Performance

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