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AUTHOR(S): Simon Tutu Tsamemba, Leon Kasaka Dingbo, Joseph Adheka, Benoit Dhed’a Djailo, Rony Swennen
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TITLE Growth and Yield Increases Induced by Soil Cover During the First Plantain Crop Cycle in DR Congo |
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ABSTRACT Plantains are a staple crop in the DR Congo. Their production is low and not perennial despite they produce suckers like other banana subgroups. This study examines the growth performance of plantain in the first growing cycle, in different cropping systems. This study was conducted during two different periods in two experimental fields at Kisangani, DR Congo, whereby the soil was covered or not covered. The performance was tested by burning the fallow residue or not and by growing plantain as a monocrop or as part of an intercrop system (with groundnut and/or cocoyam). The working hypothesis is that the very superficial and fragile root system in plantain needs continuous cover to allow water and nutrient uptake and guarantee anchorage and sucker production and therefore sustainable production. As during the first cycle this cannot be achieved by the plantain foliage, we studied the effect of soil cover by the cut fallow that was not burned or by different crops in association that cover the soil with their leaves. The yields of intercropped plantains were significantly higher than those of plantains in monoculture, while plantains grown on both burned and not burned fields had significantly improved yields in association. The smallest vegetative growth and yield was measured in a monoculture of plantain and with a burned residue, showing that soil cover either by fallow residue or associated crops is crucial for good growth in this potential perennial crop. |
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KEYWORDS Intercropping, plantain, slashes and burn, soil cover, yield, DR Congo |
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Cite this paper Simon Tutu Tsamemba, Leon Kasaka Dingbo, Joseph Adheka, Benoit Dhed’a Djailo, Rony Swennen. (2020) Growth and Yield Increases Induced by Soil Cover During the First Plantain Crop Cycle in DR Congo. International Journal of Agricultural Science, 5, 25-33 |
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