Model-based benchmarking of the production potential of plantains (Musa spp., AAB): application to five real plantain and four plantain-like hybrid varieties in Cameroon

Abstract

A great many plantain varieties are cropped in West and Central Africa, and there is a lack of information about their production potential and suitability for cropping system environments. To obtain benchmark data for the production potential of plantain varieties, experimental and modelling approaches were combined to determine intrinsic growth parameters and to increase understanding of factors affecting yield. Five real plantains commonly cropped in Cameroon and representative of plantain group diversity (Batard, Big Ebanga, Essong, French clair and Mbouroukou n°3) and four plantain-like hybrids (CRBP39, D248, D535 and FHIA21) were studied. A process-based growth model (the AAB model) was developed that accounts for specific characteristics of the plantain crop that includes parameters affecting growth, development and yield. Varietal-specific parameters were determined in a field experiment conducted under nearly non-limiting production conditions while general parameters were drawn from the literature. Parameters describing the conversion of intercepted radiation into dry matter were evaluated by model fitting. Photosynthetic efficiency was significantly higher for real plantains than for plantain-like hybrids. The model realistically simulated development, growth and bunch production for five varieties. These results are the first step in developing a useful tool for assessing the suitability of plantain varieties to different environments. The current study highlights the need for greater knowledge of plantain physiology in order to better model plantain growth and develop variety-specific production approaches. (Résumé d'auteur

The ‘Plantain-Optim’ dataset: Agronomic traits of 405 plantains every 15 days from planting to harvest

“…This analysis highlighted that photosynthetic efficiency of natural plantains was higher than for plantain-like hybrids [4]. It was a first step in understanding agronomic differences among plantain varietal diversity.…”

“…Alongside this botanical knowledge, very few studies explored agronomic differences between plantain varieties, as yield potential, nutrient and water needs or pest and disease sensitivity. Thus, there is a real lack of knowledge and data concerning agronomic potential to benchmark varieties for farmers [4], even more to choose the best suitable varieties for integrating into innovative and sustainable plantain-based cropping systems. The ‘Plantain-Optim’ experiment aimed to produce scientific data to contribute to this basic knowledge.…”

A Systematic Literature Review of Benchmarking Implementation in various Industries

“…USA Springer (Dépigny et al, 2017) Agriculture Build a practical method for determining the suitability of plantain varieties to various conditions. The current research highlights the need for greater knowledge of plantain physiology to boost model plantain development and establish a variety-specific development strategy.…”

Analysis of agro-morphological diversity among plantains (Musa species AAB) in Benin Republic, West Africa

“…Those plantations constitute a pool from which planting materials are selected to establishing new plantations (Ademiluyi, 2013;Sivirihauma et al, 2017a). In such a context, cultivars of different size coming from various fields are mixed together in the same plantation (Dépigny et al, 2016). Furthermore, production system are undermined by several constraints including the lack of knowledge with regard to planting activity and cares during growth and development stages, as well as to the selection of plantain cultivars that suit the context (Odah et al, 2013).…”

“…Currently, cultivar selection is mainly guided by farmers' behaviours and endogenous knowledge rather than standardized knowledge based on their performance (Dépigny et al, 2016). In this context, building farmer capacity with cultivar-specific knowledge would be a first step toward improving production of cropping systems, which requires the description and classification of germplasm based on agro-morphological characterization (Mohamed et al, 2019).…”