Banana Systems in the Humid Highlands of Sub-Saharan Africa: Enhancing Resilience and Productivity

Banana Systems in the Humid Highlands of Sub-Saharan Africa: Enhancing Resilience and Productivity

Enhancing Resilience and Productivity

Banana Systems in the Humid Highlands of Sub-Saharan Africa: Enhancing Resilience and Productivity

Enhancing Resilience and Productivity

Edited by

Guy Blomme

Bioversity International, Uganda

Piet van Asten

International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Uganda

and

Bernard Vanlauwe

International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Kenya

CABI is a trading name of CAB International

© CAB International 2013. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any means, electronically, mechanically, by photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the copyright owners.

A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library, London, UK.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Banana systems in the humid highlands of Sub-Saharan Africa: enhancing

resilience and productivity / edited by Guy Blomme, Piet van Asten and

Bernard Vanlauwe.

       p. cm.

   Includes bibliographical references and index.

   ISBN 978-1-78064-231-4 (alk. paper)

 1. Bananas--Africa, Sub-Saharan. 2. Plantain banana--Africa, Sub-Saharan.

 I. Blomme, G. II. Asten, Piet van, 1972- III. Vanlauwe, B. (Bernard)

  SB379.B2B3493 2013

  634′.7720967--dc23

                                                               2013016574

ISBN-13: 978 1 78064 231 4

Commissioning editor: Claire Parfitt

Editorial assistants: Emma McCann and Alexandra Lainsbury

Production editor: Shankari Wilford

Typeset by SPi, Pondicherry, India

Printed and bound in the UK by CPI Group (UK) Ltd, Croydon, CR0 4YY

The book evolved from an international conference that was organized by the Consortium for Improving Agriculture-based Livelihoods in Central Africa (CIALCA) and was held in Kigali, Rwanda, from 24 to 27 October 2011. The conference addressed the challenges and opportunities for agricultural intensification of the humid highland systems of sub-Saharan Africa.

CIALCA is a Consortium of the International Agricultural Research Centers (IARCs) and their national research and development partners that aims at close technical and administrative collaboration and planning in areas of common interest, thereby enhancing returns to the investments made by DGD, Belgium and accelerating impact at the farm level.

The cover photo of the book was taken by Concretedreams (Sophie Spillemaeckers and Ludovic Schweitzer).

CIALCA is coordinated by three CGIAR institutions: Bioversity International, the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) and the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) in collaboration with Belgian Universities and national agricultural research and development partners.

Financial contributions to the conference were made by:

Contents

Contributors

Preface

Acknowledgements

PART 1: MUSA GERMPLASM DIVERSITY AND EVALUATION

1 Plantain Collection and Morphological Characterization in Democratic Republic of Congo: Past and Present Activities and Prospects

J.G. Adheka, D.B. Dhed’a, C. Sivirihauma, D. Karamura, E. De Langhe, R. Swennen and G. Blomme

2 Musa Germplasm Diversity Status across a Wide Range of Agro-ecological Zones in Rwanda, Burundi and Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo

W. Ocimati, D. Karamura, A. Rutikanga, C. Sivirihauma, V. Ndungo, J. Adheka, D.B. Dhed’a, H. Muhindo, J. Ntamwira, S. Hakizimana, F. Ngezahayo, P. Ragama, P. Lepoint, J.-P. Kanyaruguru, E. De Langhe, S.V. Gaidashova, A. Nsabimana, C. Murekezi and G. Blomme

3 Banana Genotype Composition along the Uganda–Democratic Republic of Congo Border: A Gene Pool Mix for Plantain and Highland Bananas

D. Karamura, W. Ocimati, R. Ssali, W. Jogo, S. Walyawula and E. Karamura

4 Analysis of Farmer-preferred Traits as a Basis for Participatory Improvement of East African Highland Bananas in Uganda

A. Barekye, P. Tongoona, J. Derera, M.D. Laing and W.K. Tushemereirwe

5 Agronomic Evaluation of Common and Improved Dessert Banana Cultivars at Different Altitudes across Burundi

M. Kamira, R.J. Crichton, J.-P. Kanyaruguru, P.J.A. van Asten, G. Blomme, J. Lorenzen, E. Njukwe, I. Van den Bergh, E. Ouma and P. Muchunguzi

6 Growth and Yield of Plantain Cultivars at Four Sites of Differing Altitude in North Kivu, Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo

I. Sikyolo, C. Sivirihauma, V. Ndungo, E. De Langhe, W. Ocimati and G. Blomme

PART 2: NOVEL SEED SYSTEMS

7 Macropropagation of Musa spp. in Burundi: A Preliminary Study

P. Lepoint, F. Iradukunda and G. Blomme

8 Challenges and Opportunities for Macropropagation Technology for Musa spp. among Smallholder Farmers and Small- and Medium-scale Enterprises

E. Njukwe, E. Ouma, P.J.A. van Asten, P. Muchunguzi and D. Amah

9 Impact of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi on Growth of Banana Genotypes in Three Different, Pasteurized and Non-pasteurized Soils of Rwanda

S.V. Gaidashova, A. Nsabimana, P.J.A. van Asten, B. Delvaux, A. Elsen and S. Declerck

10 Indigenous Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi and Growth of Tissue-cultured Banana Plantlets under Nursery and Field Conditions in Rwanda

J.M. Jefwa, E. Rurangwa, S.V. Gaidashova, A.M. Kavoo, M. Mwashasha, J. Robinson, G. Blomme and B. Vanlauwe

PART 3: BANANA PESTS AND DISEASES

11 Development of ELISA for the Detection of Xanthomonas campestris pv. musacearum, the Causal Agent of BXW: Banana Xanthomonas Wilt

G.V. Nakato, S.A. Akinbade, P. Lava Kumar, R. Bandyopadhyay and F. Beed

12 Systemicity and Speed of Movement of Xanthomonas campestris pv. musacearum in the Banana Plant after Garden Tool-mediated Infection

W. Ocimati, F. Ssekiwoko, M. Buttibwa, E. Karamura, W. Tinzaara, S. Eden-Green and G. Blomme

13 Use of DNA Capture Kits to Collect Xanthomonas campestris pv. musacearum and Banana Bunchy Top Virus Pathogen DNA for Molecular Diagnostics

I. Ramathani and F. Beed

14 Banana Xanthomonas Wilt Management: Effectiveness of Selective Mat Uprooting Coupled with Control Options for Preventing Disease Transmission. Case Study in Rwanda and Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo

A. Rutikanga, C. Sivirihauma, C. Murekezi, U. Anuarite, V. Ndungo, W. Ocimati, J. Ntamwira, P. Lepoint and G. Blomme

15 Effect of Length of Fallow Period after Total Uprooting of a Xanthomonas Wilt-infected Banana Field on Infection of Newly Established Planting Materials: Case Studies from Rwanda and Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo

C. Sivirihauma, A. Rutikanga, C. Murekezi, G. Blomme, U. Anuarite, W. Ocimati, P. Lepoint and V. Ndungo

16 Distribution, Incidence and Farmer Knowledge of Banana Xanthomonas Wilt in Rwanda

G. Night, S.V. Gaidashova, A. Nyirigira, Theodomir Mugiraneza, A. Rutikanga, C. Murekezi, A. Nduwayezu, E. Rurangwa, Thierry Mugiraneza, F. Mukase, O. Ndayitegeye, W. Tinzaara, E. Karamura, W. Jogo, I. Rwomushana, F. Opio and D. Gahakwa

17 Xanthomonas Wilt Incidence in Banana Plots Planted with Asymptomatic Suckers from a Diseased Field Compared with Plots Using Suckers from a Disease-free Zone in North Kivu, Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo

C. Sivirihauma, N. Ndungo, W. Ocimati and G. Blomme

PART 4: BANANA INTERCROPPING SYSTEMS

18 Coffee/Banana Intercropping as an Opportunity for Smallholder Coffee Farmers in Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi

L. Jassogne, A. Nibasumba, L. Wairegi, P.V. Baret, J. Deraeck, D. Mukasa, I. Wanyama, G. Bongers and P.J.A. van Asten

19 The Use of Trees and Shrubs to Improve Banana Productivity and Production in Central Uganda: An Analysis of the Current Situation

S. Mpiira, C. Staver, G.H. Kagezi, J. Wesiga, C. Nakyeyune, G. Ssebulime, J. Kabirizi, K. Nowakunda, E. Karamura and W.K. Tushemereirwe

20 Effect of Banana Leaf Pruning on Legume Yield in Banana–Legume Intercropping Systems in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo

J. Ntamwira, P. Pypers, P.J.A. van Asten, B. Vanlauwe, B. Ruhigwa, P. Lepoint and G. Blomme

21 A Comparative and Systems Approach to Banana Cropping Systems in the Great Lakes Region

J. Van Damme, D. De Bouver, M. Dupriez, P.J.A. van Asten and P.V. Baret

22 Agronomic Practices for Musa across Different Agro-ecological Zones in Burundi, Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda

W. Ocimati, D. Karamura, A. Rutikanga, C. Sivirihauma, V. Ndungo, J. Ntamwira, M. Kamira, J.-P. Kanyaruguru and G. Blomme

PART 5: BANANA USE, POSTHARVEST AND NUTRITION

23 The Beer Banana Value Chain in Central Uganda

A.M. Rietveld, S. Mpiira, W. Jogo, C. Staver and E.B. Karamura

24 Contribution of Bananas and Plantains to the Diet and Nutrition of Musa-dependent Households with Preschoolers in Beni and Bukavu Territories, Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo

B.N. Ekesa, J. Kimiywe, M. Davey, C. Dhuique-Mayer, I. Van den Bergh and G. Blomme

PART 6: SURVEILLANCE, ADOPTION AND COMMUNICATING KNOWLEDGE

25 Processes and Partnerships for Effective Regional Surveillance of Banana Diseases

F. Beed, J. Kubiriba, A. Mugalula, H. Kolowa, S. Bulili, A. Nduwayezu, C. Murekezi, E. Sakayoya, P. Ndayihanzamaso, R. Mulenga, M. Abass, L. Mathe, B. Masheka, M. Onyango, E. Shitabule, V. Nakato, I. Ramathani and H. Bouwmeester

26 Adoption and Impact of Tissue Culture Bananas in Burundi: An Application of a Propensity Score Matching Approach

E. Ouma, T. Dubois, N. Kabunga, S. Nkurunziza, M. Qaim and P.J.A. van Asten

27 Communication Approaches for Sustainable Management of Banana Xanthomonas Wilt in East and Central Africa

W. Tinzaara, E. Karamura, G. Blomme, W. Jogo, W. Ocimati and J. Kubiriba

28 A Global Information and Knowledge Sharing Approach to Facilitate the Wider Use of Musa Genetic Resources

N. Roux, M. Ruas and B. Laliberté

Index

Contributors

M. Abass, Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL), Lusaka, Zambia.

J.G. Adheka, Laboratoire de Génétique, Amélioration des Plantes et Biotechnologies, Faculté des Sciences, Université de Kisangani (UNIKIS), Kisangani, Democratic Republic of Congo. E-mail: jadheka@yahoo.fr

S.A. Akinbade, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), PMB 5320, Oyo Road, Ibadan, Nigeria. Present address: Irrigated Agriculture Research and Extension Center, Washington State University, Prosser, WA 99350, USA.

D. Amah, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), PMB 5320, Oyo Road, Ibadan, Nigeria. E-mail: A.Delphine@cgiar.org

U. Anuarite, Rwanda Agriculture Board (RAB), PO Box 5016, Kigali, Rwanda. E-mail: weran14@yahoo.fr

R. Bandyopadhyay, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), PMB 5320, Oyo Road, Ibadan, Nigeria. E-mail: R.Bandyopadhyay@cgiar.org

A. Barekye, African Centre for Crop Improvement, School of Agricultural Sciences and Agribusiness, University of KwaZulu-Natal, P/Bag X01, Pietermaritzburg, 3209, South Africa and National Banana Research Programme, National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO), PO Box 7065, Kampala, Uganda. E-mail: a.barekye@kari.go.ug

P.V. Baret, Earth and Life Institute, Université Catholique de Louvain (UCL), Croix du Sud, 2 L7.05.14, 1348 Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium. E-mail: philippe.baret@uclouvain.be

F. Beed, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), PO Box 7878, Kampala, Uganda. Present address: IITA, PO Box 34441, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. E-mail: F.Beed@cgiar.org

G. Blomme, Bioversity International, PO Box 24384, Kampala, Uganda. E-mail: G.Blomme@cgiar.org

G. Bongers, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), PO Box 7878, Kampala, Uganda. E-mail: G.Bongers@cgiar.org

H. Bouwmeester, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), PO Box 34441, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. E-mail: h.bouwmeester@solum.nl

S. Bulili, Maruku Agricultural Research Institute (ARI-Maruku), PO Box 127, Bukoba, Kagera, Tanzania. E-mail: saybulili@yahoo.com

M. Buttibwa, National Crops Resources Research Institute, National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO), Namulonge, Uganda. E-mail: maxynam@yahoo.com

R.J. Crichton, Bioversity International, Parc Scientifique Agropolis II, 34397 Montpellier Cedex 5, France. E-mail: r.crichton@cgiar.org

M. Davey, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (KUL), Leuven, Belgium. E-mail: Mark.Davey@biw.kuleuven.be

D. De Bouver, Earth and Life Institute, Université Catholique de Louvain (UCL), Croix du Sud, 1348 Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium. E-mail: damiendebouver@hotmail.com

S. Declerck, Earth and Life Institute, Mycology, Université Catholique de Louvain (UCL), Croix du Sud, 2 bte L7.05.06, 1348 Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium. E-mail: Declerck@mbla.ucl.ac.be

E. De Langhe, Laboratory of Tropical Crop Improvement, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (KUL), Leuven, Belgium. E-mail: edmond.delanghe@chello.be

B. Delvaux, Université Catholique de Louvain (UCL), 1348 Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium. E-mail: Delvaux@sols.ucl.ac.be

J. Deraeck, Earth and Life Institute, Université Catholique de Louvain (UCL), Croix du Sud, 2 L7.05.14, 1348 Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium.

J. Derera, African Centre for Crop Improvement, School of Agricultural Sciences and Agribusiness, University of KwaZulu-Natal, P/Bag X01, Pietermaritzburg, 3209, South Africa.

D.B. Dhed’a, Laboratoire de Génétique, Amélioration des Plantes et Biotechnologies, Faculté des Sciences, Université de Kisangani (UNIKIS), Kisangani, Democratic Republic of Congo. E-mail: benoitdheda@yahoo.fr

C. Dhuique-Mayer, La Recherche Agronomique pour le Développement/Agricultural Research for Development (CIRAD), TA B-95/16, 73 rue Jean-François Breton, 34398 Montpellier Cedex 5, France. E-mail: claudie.dhuique-mayer@cirad.fr

T. Dubois, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), PO Box 7878, Kampala, Uganda. E-mail: T.Dubois@CGIAR.org

M. Dupriez, Earth and Life Institute, Université Catholique de Louvain (UCL), 1348 Louvainla-Neuve, Belgium. E-mail: maxime.dupriez@uclouvain.be

S. Eden-Green, EG Consulting, 470 Lunsford Lane, Larkfield, Kent, ME20 6JA, UK. E-mail: EGC@eden-green.co.uk

B.N. Ekesa, Bioversity International, Plot 106, Katalima Road, PO Box, 24384, Kampala, Uganda. E-mail: b.ekesa@cgiar.org

A. Elsen, Soil Service of Belgium, 48 W. de Croylaan, 3001, Leuven, Belgium. E-mail: annemie. elsen@biw.kuleuven.be

D. Gahakwa, Rwanda Agriculture Board (RAB), PO Box 5016, Kigali, Rwanda. E-mail: daphrose. gahakwa@gmail.com

S.V. Gaidashova, Rwanda Agricultural Board (RAB), PO Box 5016, Kigali, Rwanda. E-mail: gaidashova@yahoo.com

S. Hakizimana, Institut de Recherche Agronomique et Zootechnique (IRAZ), Mashitsi, Burundi. E-mail: hakizisylv@yahoo.com

F. Iradukunda, Bioversity International, PO Box 1893, Bujumbura, Burundi and Université du Burundi, Faculté des Sciences Agronomiques, PO Box 2940, Bujumbura, Burundi. E-mail: iradukunda1983@yahoo.fr

L. Jassogne, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), PO Box 7878, Kampala, Uganda and Earth and Life Institute, Université Catholique de Louvain, Croix du Sud, 2 L7.05.14, 1348 Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium. E-mail: ljassogne@gmail.com

J.M. Jefwa, Mycorrhizal Specialist, PO Box 0050-21872, Ngong Road, Nairobi, Kenya. E-mail: joycejefwa@gmail.com

W. Jogo, Bioversity International, PO Box 24384, Kampala, Uganda. E-mail: w.jogo@cgiar.org

J. Kabirizi, National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO), PO Box 7065, Kampala, Uganda.

N. Kabunga, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), PO Box 28565, Kampala, Uganda. E-mail: N.Kabunga@cgiar.org

G.H. Kagezi, National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO), PO Box 7065, Kampala, Uganda. E-mail: godkagezi@yahoo.co.uk

M. Kamira, Bioversity International/CIALCA project, Bukavu, South Kivu, Democratic Republic of Congo. E-mail: mkamira2@yahoo.fr

J.-P. Kanyaruguru, Bioversity International/CIALCA project, PO Box 7180, Bujumbura, Burundi. E-mail: kanyarugurujp@yahoo.fr

D. Karamura, Bioversity International, PO Box 24384, Kampala, Uganda. E-mail: d.karamura@cgiar.org

E.B. Karamura, Bioversity International, P.O. Box 24384, Kampala, Uganda. E-mail: e.karamura@cgiar.org

A.M. Kavoo, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), PO Box 62,000, 00200 Nairobi, Kenya.

J. Kimiywe, Kenyatta University (KU), PO Box 43844, 00100 Nairobi, Kenya.

H. Kolowa, Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Cooperatives, PO Box 9192, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

J. Kubiriba, National Banana Research Programme, Kawanda Agricultural Research Institute (KARI), National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO), PO Box 7065, Kampala, Uganda. E-mail: jkubiriba@kari.go.ug

P. Lava Kumar, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), PMB 5320, Ibadan, Nigeria. E-mail: L.Kumar@cgiar.org

M.D. Laing, African Centre for Crop Improvement, School of Agricultural Sciences and Agribusiness, University of KwaZulu-Natal, P/Bag X01, Pietermaritzburg, 3209, South Africa.

B. Laliberté, Commodity Systems and Genetic Resources Programme, Bioversity International, Parc Scientifique Agropolis II, Montpellier Cedex 5, 34397 France. E-mail: brig.lalib@gmail.com

P. Lepoint, Bioversity International/CIALCA project, PO Box 7180, Bujumbura, Burundi. E-mail: p.lepoint@cgiar.org

J. Lorenzen, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), PO Box 7878, Kampala, Uganda. E-mail: j.lorenzen@cgiar.org

B. Masheka, Institut National pour l’Etude et la Recherche Agronomique (INERA), Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo.

L. Mathe, Université Catholique du Graben (UCG), Butembo, North Kivu, Democratic Republic of Congo. E-mail: lukandamathe6@gmail.com

S. Mpiira, Bioversity International, PO Box 24384, Kampala, Uganda and National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO), PO Box 7065, Kampala, Uganda. E-mail: smpiira@gmail.com

P. Muchunguzi, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), BP 7878, Kampala, Uganda. E-mail: ainethalee@yahoo.com

A. Mugalula, Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industries and Fisheries (MAAIF), PO Box 34518, Kampala, Uganda.

Theodomir Mugiraneza, Centre for Geographic Information Systems and Remote Sensing, National University of Rwanda (NUR), PO Box 212, Huye, Rwanda.

Thierry Mugiraneza, Rwanda Agriculture Board (RAB), PO Box 5016, Kigali, Rwanda. E-mail: kmugiraneza1@yahoo.fr

H. Muhindo, Institut Facultaire des Sciences Agronomiques (IFA-Yangambi), PO Box 1232, Kisangani, Democratic Republic of Congo. E-mail: msiwako@yahoo.fr

D. Mukasa, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), PO Box 7878, Kampala, Uganda. E-mail: mukasad@kari.go.ug

F. Mukase, Rwanda Agriculture Board (RAB), PO Box 5016, Kigali, Rwanda.

R. Mulenga, Zambia Agricultural Research Institute (ZARI), Lusaka, Zambia.

C. Murekezi, Rwanda Agriculture Board (RAB), PO Box 5016, Kigali, Rwanda. E-mail: charlesmurekezi@yahoo.co.uk

M. Mwashasha, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), Juja, PO Box 62,000, 00200 Nairobi, Kenya.

G.V. Nakato, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), PO Box 7878, Kampala, Uganda. E-mail: nakatogv@yahoo.com

C. Nakyeyune, SSC Vi Agroforestry, PO Box 1732, Kampala, Uganda.

P. Ndayihanzamaso, Institut des Sciences Agronomique du Burundi (ISABU), Avenue de la Cathédrale, BP 795, Bujumbura, Burundi. E-mail: ndayihanzamasoprivat@yahoo.fr

O. Ndayitegeye, Rwanda Agriculture Board (RAB), PO Box 5016, Kigali, Rwanda.

V. Ndungo, Université Catholique du Graben (UCG), Butembo, North Kivu, Democratic Republic of Congo. E-mail: ndungovigheri@yahoo.fr

A. Nduwayezu, Rwanda Agriculture Board (RAB), PO Box 5016, Kigali, Rwanda.

F. Ngezahayo, Institut de Recherche Agronomique et Zootechnique (IRAZ), Mashitsi, Burundi. E-mail: ngezafrd@yahoo.fr

A. Nibasumba, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), PO Box 7878, Kampala, Uganda; Earth and Life Institute, Université Catholique de Louvain (UCL), Croix du Sud, 2 L7.05.14, 1348 Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium; and Institut des Sciences Agronomique du Burundi (ISABU), Avenue de la Cathédrale, BP 795, Bujumbura, Burundi.

G. Night, Rwanda Agriculture Board (RAB), PO Box 5016, Kigali, Rwanda. E-mail: gmn27@yahoo.com

E. Njukwe, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), BP 7878 Kampala, Uganda and IITA-CIALCA, Bujumbura, Burundi. E-mail: E.Njukwe@cgiar.org

S. Nkurunziza, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), PO Box 7180, Bujumbura, Burundi.

K. Nowakunda, National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO), PO Box 7065, Kampala, Uganda. E-mail: nowakunda@yahoo.com

A. Nsabimana, Kigali Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), PO Box 3900, Kigali, Rwanda. E-mail: nsabimanant@yahoo.fr

J. Ntamwira, Institut National pour l’Etude et la Recherche Agronomique (INERA), Mulungu Research Station, Bukavu, South Kivu, PO Box 2037 Kinshasa 1, Avenue de Cliniques, Kinshasa-Gombe, Democratic Republic of Congo and Bioversity International/CIALCA Project, Bukavu, South Kivu, Democratic Republic of Congo. E-mail: ingjules2007@yahoo.fr

A. Nyirigira, Rwanda Agriculture Board (RAB), PO Box 5016, Kigali, Rwanda.

W. Ocimati, Bioversity International, PO Box 24384, Kampala, Uganda. E-mail: w.ocimati@cgiar.org

M. Onyango, Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI), Nairobi, Kenya. E-mail: maonyango2001@gmail.com

F. Opio, Association for Strengthening Agricultural Research in Eastern and Central Africa (ASARECA), Entebbe, Uganda. E-mail: f.opio@asareca.org

E. Ouma, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), PO Box 7180, Bujumbura, Burundi. E-mail: E.A.Ouma@cgiar.org

P. Pypers, Tropical Soil Biology and Fertility Institute of the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (TSBF-CIAT), PO Box 30677, Nairobi, Kenya. E-mail: P.Pypers@cgiar.org

M. Qaim, Georg-August University of Göttingen, 37073 Göttingen, Germany.

P. Ragama, Kabarak University, Private Bag 20157, Kabarak, Kenya. E-mail: peragama55@yahoo.co.uk

I. Ramathani, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), PO Box 7878, Kampala, Uganda. E-mail: iramathani@gmail.com

A.M. Rietveld, Bioversity International, PO Box 24384, Kampala, Uganda. E-mail: a.rietveld@cgiar.org

J. Robinson, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), Juja, PO Box 62,000, 00200 Nairobi, Kenya.

N. Roux, Commodity Systems and Genetic Resources Programme, Bioversity International, Parc Scientifique Agropolis II, Montpellier Cedex 5, 34397 France. E-mail: n.roux@cgiar.org

M. Ruas, Commodity Systems and Genetic Resources Programme, Bioversity International, Parc Scientifique Agropolis II, Montpellier Cedex 5, 34397 France. E-mail: m.ruas@cgiar.org

B. Ruhigwa, Institut Facultaire des Sciences Agronomiques (IFA-Yangambi), PO Box 1232 Kisangani, Democratic Republic of Congo. E-mail: prof_ruhigwa@yahoo.co.uk

E. Rurangwa, Rwanda Agriculture Board (RAB), PO Box 5016, Kigali, Rwanda. E-mail: rura2004@yahoo.fr

A. Rutikanga, Bioversity International/CIALCA project, Kigali, Rwanda. E-mail: alexandrerut@yahoo.fr

I. Rwomushana, Association for Strengthening Agricultural Research in Eastern and Central Africa (ASARECA), Entebbe, Uganda.

E. Sakayoya, Département de la Protection des Végéteaux (DPV), BP 114, Gitega, Burundi.

E. Shitabule, Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Services (KEPHIS), Nairobi, Kenya.

I. Sikyolo, Université Catholique du Graben (UCG), Butembo, North Kivu, Democratic Republic of Congo. E-mail: idja_sikyolo@yahoo.fr

C. Sivirihauma, Université Catholique du Graben (UCG), Butembo, North Kivu, Democratic Republic of Congo and Bioversity International/CIALCA project, Butembo, North Kivu, Democratic Republic of Congo. E-mail: siviricharles@yahoo.fr

R. Ssali, National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO), PO Box 7065, Kampala, Uganda.

G. Ssebulime, Kyankwanzi District Local Government, PO Box 90, Kiboga, Uganda.

F. Ssekiwoko, National Banana Research Programme, Kawanda Agricultural Research Institute (KARI), National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO), PO Box 7065, Kampala, Uganda. E-mail: fssekiwoko@kari.go.ug

C. Staver, Commodity Systems and Genetic Resources Programme, Bioversity International, Parc Scientifique Agropolis II, Montpellier Cedex 5, 34397 France. E-mail: c.staver@cgiar.org

R. Swennen, Laboratory of Tropical Crop Improvement, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (KUL), Leuven, Belgium. E-mail: Rony.Swennen@biw.kuleuven.be

W. Tinzaara, Bioversity International, PO Box 24384, Kampala, Uganda. E-mail: w.tinzaara@cgiar.org

P. Tongoona, African Centre for Crop Improvement, School of Agricultural Sciences and Agribusiness, University of KwaZulu-Natal, P/Bag X01, Pietermaritzburg, 3209, South Africa.

W.K. Tushemereirwe, National Banana Research Programme, Kawanda Agricultural Research Institute (KARI), National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO), PO Box 7065, Kampala, Uganda. E-mail: banana@imul.com

P.J.A. van Asten, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), BP 7878, Kampala, Uganda. E-mail: P.VanAsten@cgiar.org

J. Van Damme, Earth and Life Institute, Université Catholique de Louvain (UCL), Croix du Sud, 1348 Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium. E-mail: julie.vandamme@uclouvain.be

I. Van den Bergh, Commodity Systems and Genetic Resources Programme, Bioversity International, Parc Scientifique Agropolis II, Montpellier Cedex 5, 34397 France. E-mail: i.vandenbergh@cgiar.org

B. Vanlauwe, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), c/o ICIPE, PO Box 30772-00100, Nairobi, Kenya. E-mail: B.Vanlauwe@cgiar.org

N. Vigheri, Bioversity International/CIALCA project, Butembo, North Kivu, Democratic Republic of Congo. E-mail: ndungovigheri@yahoo.fr

L. Wairegi, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), PO Box 7878, Kampala, Uganda and CAB International, ICRAF Complex, PO Box 633-00621, Nairobi, Kenya. E-mail: l.wairegi@cabi.org

S. Walyawula, National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO), PO Box 7065, Kampala, Uganda.

I. Wanyama, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), PO Box 7878, Kampala, Uganda. E-mail: I.Wanyama@cgiar.org

J. Wesiga, Volunteer Efforts for Development Concern (VEDCO), PO Box 1244, Kampala, Uganda.

Preface

Banana Systems in the Humid Highlands of Sub-Saharan Africa: Enhancing Resilience and Productivity: Enhancing Resilience and Productivity addresses issues related to intensification of banana-based cropping systems in the (sub)humid highland areas of Africa. Bananas are a staple food in the East African highlands, where they have some of the highest per capita consumption rates in the world. The crop is a permanent source of food and income throughout the year for millions of smallholder farmers. Its reliable and continuous production has spared the humid highland region from drought-induced famines that have plagued other areas in sub-Saharan Africa. Moreover, the permanent canopy cover and self-mulch of banana-based systems also prevent run-off and erosion in this hilly landscape. However, in times of rapid population growth, urbanization and increasing regional trade, actors in the private and public sector are particularly encouraging the production of easily tradable and storable dry foods such as maize. Bananas have further suffered from major pest and disease outbreaks over the past few years. Maintaining and enhancing the socioeconomic and biophysical buffer function of banana-based systems has, therefore, become a formidable challenge that affects the livelihoods of millions of poor producers and consumers in the region.

This book brings together key contributions on banana-based systems that were presented as part of an international conference that was organized by the Consortium for Improving Agriculture-based Livelihoods in Central Africa (CIALCA) and was held in Kigali, Rwanda, from 24 to 27 October 2011. The conference was entitled the Challenges and Opportunities for Agricultural Intensification of the Humid Highland Systems of sub-Saharan Africa. The information that is presented in the 28 chapters of the book is based on research carried out in the Great Lakes Region by CIALCA and partners, and is arranged in six sections. Part 1 covers banana germplasm, Part 2 innovative seed systems, Part 3 pests and diseases, Part 4 cropping systems, Part 5 postharvest use and nutrition, and Part 6 technology adoption and dissemination of knowledge. The book provides a valuable resource for researchers, development actors, students and policy makers in agricultural systems and economics and in international development. It highlights and addresses key challenges and opportunities that exist in maintaining and improving the vital buffer function that bananas provide in the agricultural systems of the humid highlands of sub-Saharan Africa.

Guy Blomme

Bioversity International, Uganda

Piet van Asten

International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Uganda

Bernard Vanlauwe

International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Kenya

Acknowledgements

Special thanks go to Michael Bolton (consultant under contract to Bioversity International) and to David Turner (Associate Professor, Honorary Research Fellow, School of Plant Biology Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Western Australia) for their contributions to the scientific editing of all the chapters.

1 Plantain Collection and Morphological Characterization in Democratic Republic of Congo: Past and Present Activities and Prospects

J.G. Adheka,¹* D.B. Dhed’a,¹ C. Sivirihauma,² D. Karamura,³ E. De Langhe,⁴ R. Swennen⁴ and G. Blomme³

¹Université de Kisangani (UNIKIS), Democratic Republic of Congo; ²Université Catholique du Graben (UCG), Butembo, Democratic Republic of Congo; ³Bioversity International, Kampala, Uganda; ⁴Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (KUL), Belgium

Abstract

The collection and morphological characterization of Musa spp. (bananas and plantains) started during the 1950s in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) at the Institut National pour l’Etude Agronomique du Congo (INEAC) Yangambi Research Station, where 56 plantain cultivars were established in a collection. Unfortunately, that collection no longer exists as a result of years of social unrest and instability in the region. Collection and characterization restarted in 2005 at the University of Kisangani (UNIKIS) within the framework of a UNIKIS/Bioversity International-led project funded by the Gatsby Charitable Foundation. From January 2005 to May 2007, three missions were carried out by UNIKIS to collect plantain cultivars in different parts of Oriental Province and recover major parts of the extinct plantain collection of INEAC Yangambi. A total of 65 plantain cultivars were collected in the framework of the Gatsby-funded project. From 2009 to 2012, nine MSc students, working with a PhD student, carried out collection work in 66 territories of Oriental, North Kivu, South Kivu, Maniema, Katanga, Eastern Kasai, Western Kasai, Bandundu and Equateur provinces. The percentage of forest cover, and to a lesser extent province size, were positively linked to plantain diversity. Katanga, which is the second largest surveyed province and has savannah-type ecology had the lowest number of plantain cultivars. The highest plantain diversity was observed in forest zones across the Congo Basin. These comprise Oriental Province, where 69 plantain cultivars were recorded, followed by Equateur, with 60 cultivars, and Maniema, with 31 cultivars. Lower plantain diversity was recorded in the provinces where savannah ecologies predominate (Bandundu (25 cultivars), Western Kasai (22), Eastern Kasai (21), South Kivu (14), North Kivu (11) and Katanga (8)). Several putative new plantain cultivars were recorded. The highest cultivar diversity was observed within the ‘French’ plantain clone set, followed by the ‘False Horn’ and the ‘Horn’ clone sets. Nevertheless, ‘False Horn’ and ‘Horn’ plantain take up the largest proportion of the production landscape owing to their short cycle duration and the marketability of some of their cultivars (e.g. ‘Libanga Likale’, ‘Libanga Lifombo’ or ‘Lokusu’, which has large fruit). In-depth synonymy studies are needed and synonymy reconciliation between cultivars of the defunct INEAC Yangambi collection and the current UNIKIS collection is ongoing. In addition, agronomic, postharvest and molecular aspects of characterization should be considered as a means of enhancing the knowledge, use and conservation of Musa diversity across DR Congo.

1.1 Introduction

Bananas (Musa spp.) and plantains (a particular subgroup of Musa spp. – Musa AAB) are key components of food security in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo), which produces 1.57 million t/year of these foods (FAOSTAT, 2010), particularly in Oriental province, which covers a large part of the Congo Basin. For example, Tshopo District, Oriental Province, produced 444,435 t of plantain in 2009. Plantains are mainly cultivated at lower elevations in the Congo Basin, while the eastern Congolese highlands along the Albertine Rift Valley are considered as a meeting place of East African highland banana (Musa spp. AAA-EA) and plantain (Musa AAB) cultivation.

Musa (especially plantain and AAA-EA) cultivars were established during the 1950s in collections at four research stations of the Institut National pour l’Etude Agronomique du Congo (INEAC) – Yangambi (Oriental), Bambesa (Oriental), Lubarika (South Kivu) and Mulungu (South Kivu). Characterization of the wide variety of plantain cultivars in the Congo Basin started at INEAC Yangambi and, by 1960, 56 plantain cultivars had been collected and characterized by Edmond De Langhe. However, social unrest, civil war and political instability prevented work on Musa characterization for several decades afterwards, and none of these early Musa collections still exists. Nevertheless, studies of these collections had led to a series of publications, especially for plantain, which revealed that humid Africa is the major secondary centre of diversity for both groups of Musa (Dhed’a et al., 2011). Still, the Musa collection missions carried out by INEAC scientists only covered part of Oriental Province and it was thus assumed that only samples representing a part of the wide plantain diversity that existed had been collected.

In 2005, funds were obtained from the Gatsby Charitable Foundation to start a University of Kisangani (UNIKIS)/Bioversity International-led project on ‘Plantain in the Eastern Congo Basin’. The objectives of the project were: (i) to (re-)collect in Oriental Province part of this unique set of plantain cultivars; (ii) to establish and maintain the cultivars in a field collection at UNIKIS; (iii) to duplicate the collection in vitro; and (iv) to back up this plantain material at the International Transit Centre (ITC), Leuven, Belgium for subsequent virus indexing/cleaning and exchange for possible future use.

From January 2005 to May 2007, four collection missions were carried out by UNIKIS to collect plantains in Oriental Province and to recover major parts of the extinct plantain collection of INEAC Yangambi. The missions took place in: Tshopo – around Kisangani and Yangambi; Ituri – around Kilo, close to the border with Uganda; Haut Uele – around Wamba, close to the border with Sudan; and Bas Uele – close to the border with the Central African Republic. A total of 65 plantain cultivars were collected in the framework of the Gatsby project. A minimum set of morphological descriptors was recorded for each new plantain cultivar and a minimum set of photographs was taken (De Langhe, 1961; Tezenas du Montcel et al., 1983; Swennen, 1990; Daniells et al., 2001). The majority of the plantain cultivars characterized had a medium plant size (65%), with giant plantains making up 20%, dwarf plantains, 12%, and semi-dwarf plantains, 3%. No dwarf or semi-dwarf cultivars had been observed in West Africa (Dhed’a et al., 2011). Likewise, many of the 56 plantain cultivars collected during the 1950s in the eastern Congo basin, DR Congo, and more particularly in Tshopo District, Oriental Province, did not seem to exist in West Africa, where over 110 plantain cultivars had been collected (De Langhe, 1961; Tezenas du Montcel et al., 1983; Swennen, 1990).

Further collaboration between UNIKIS, Université Catholique du Graben (UCG, DR Congo), Bioversity-CIALCA (Consortium for Improving Agriculture-based Livelihoods in Central Africa) and Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (KUL, Belgium) was established in 2009 to boost Musa collection, characterization and conservation work in DR Congo. Since 2009, a team of nine MSc students and one PhD student have carried out Musa germplasm collection and morphological characterization work in nine provinces (Oriental, North Kivu, South Kivu, Maniema, Katanga, Eastern Kasai, Western Kasai, Bandundu and Equateur). The MSc students each carried out their work in a specific province, while the UNIKIS PhD student (2011–2014) is currently analysing the combined data from all the provinces surveyed. An important aspect of this work comprises the comparison of the 56 plantain cultivars collected by INEAC in the 1950s and the UNIKIS plantain collection. As different ethnic groups use different names for a particular cultivar, synonymy work is an important aspect of the ongoing Musa germplasm research. In addition, maps will be made depicting the diversity of plantain cultivars and the geographical distribution of the most common plantain cultivars.

1.2 Materials and Methods

Since 2009, Musa germplasm surveys have been carried out in nine provinces and 66 territories (five territories in, respectively, Katanga, Eastern Kasai, Western Kasai and Bandundu provinces; six territories in, respectively, Maniema, North Kivu and South Kivu; 14 territories in Equateur; and 19 territories in Oriental). Three villages in which Musa production systems dominated were selected in each territory. Where only one main road was present within a territory, villages were selected at 50 km intervals. If several road axes were present, a village was selected on each axis.

In each selected village, a focus group discussion was conducted with a group of at least 30 men, and with a separate group of 30 women, to establish a list of all banana and plantain cultivars grown and known by farmers. The presence of each listed cultivar was verified by UNIKIS/UCG staff/students and descriptor data were subsequently collected for each new cultivar using the Bioversity International banana descriptor guidelines (IPGRI-INIBAP/CIRAD, 1996). A minimum set of digital photographs (e.g. entire plant with bunch, close-up of the inflorescence) (Kepler and Rust, 2006) was also taken of a mature plant for each new cultivar. Three visibly healthy sword suckers of each putative new cultivar were collected for subsequent establishment at the UNIKIS and UCG Musa collections, and additional morphological characterization will be carried out on these at maturity. Diagnostic surveys were also conducted with ten households, each with at least 30 plantain mats per village. Overall, a total of 198 villages and 1980 households were surveyed, and the following information was collected: the most widely grown Musa cultivars, the name of each cultivar in the local dialect, the meaning of this name, the origin of each cultivar, its positive and negative traits and its use.

1.3 Results and Discussion

The total number of Musa cultivars grown varied by province, with highest diversity observed in Oriental, Equateur, North Kivu, Maniema and South Kivu (Tables 1.1 and 1.2). Most of the larger provinces had a higher number of Musa cultivars, as is the case for Oriental Province which ranked first in size and Equateur which ranked second (Table 1.3). The size of a province is, however, not the only factor that influenced banana and plantain diversity in DR Congo provinces. The percentage of forest cover is also highly related to plantain diversity (Table 1.3). Plantains clearly dominate the production landscape in the Congo basin (Oriental, Maniema, the northern parts of the two Kasai provinces, Bandundu and Equateur), but not in Katanga (which ranks second in size but has savannah-type ecology) or in the eastern highland regions. In addition, the coexistence of different Musa genome groups contributes to a higher overall cultivar number as, for example, in the Kivu provinces where AAA-EA, dessert (AAA, ABB) Musa spp. and plantains (AAB) are all cultivated.

Table 1.1. Number of cultivars of Musa spp.: for cooking and beer (East African highland banana, AAA-EA subgroup); for dessert use (AAA, ABB subgroups); and plantain (AAB subgroup) in nine provinces in Democratic Republic of Congo.

Table 1.2. Name, local synonym and clone set (type) of the five most widely spread cultivars of the plantain subgroup (AAB) in nine provinces of Democratic Republic of Congo.

Table 1.3. The relative importance of forest cover in relation to Musa diversity in provinces of Democratic Republic of Congo. Sources: SPIAF (1995); Ministère de Plan (2004, 2005a,b); Bikumu (2005); PNUD (2009).

The five most important plantain cultivars in each province are well known (Table 1.2). However, across DR Congo there are about 450 ethnic groups speaking about 200 different languages (WFP et al., 2009). It is, therefore, to be expected that different plantain names exist for a given cultivar (especially if this cultivar is geographically widespread) and that synonyms can occur within a province or between provinces if different ethnic groups are present. As a result, the total number of plantain cultivars may have to be adjusted once all in-depth morphological characterization and description work is completed. Initial survey results indicate that plantain diversity is highest in Oriental Province (69 cultivars), followed by Equateur (60), Maniema (31), Bandundu (25), Western Kasai (22), Eastern