Effects of mulch location on banana weevil, nutrients, soil water, and biomass in banana

Major constraints to banana (Musa spp., genome group AAA) production, a dietary staple for over 70 million people in sub-Saharan Africa, are pest infestations, poor nutrition and inadequate water. Although mulch can improve soil water and nutrient status, many farmers believe it also promotes the pr...

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Autores principales: McIntyre, B.D., Gold, Cliford S., Ssali, H., Riha, S.J.
Formato: Journal Article
Lenguaje:Inglés
Publicado: Springer 2003
Materias:
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/10568/98205
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author McIntyre, B.D.
Gold, Cliford S.
Ssali, H.
Riha, S.J.
author_browse Gold, Cliford S.
McIntyre, B.D.
Riha, S.J.
Ssali, H.
author_facet McIntyre, B.D.
Gold, Cliford S.
Ssali, H.
Riha, S.J.
author_sort McIntyre, B.D.
collection Repository of Agricultural Research Outputs (CGSpace)
description Major constraints to banana (Musa spp., genome group AAA) production, a dietary staple for over 70 million people in sub-Saharan Africa, are pest infestations, poor nutrition and inadequate water. Although mulch can improve soil water and nutrient status, many farmers believe it also promotes the proliferation of banana weevil (Cosmopolites sordidus), one of the most serious banana pests. In this study, we evaluated the effects of mulch location (mulch to base of banana pseudostem; mulch recessed 1 m from the pseudostem) on banana weevil, soil and plant nutrient status, soil water, and banana growth and development. After 3 years, the fully mulched plots had significantly more soil Ca and Mg than plots that did not receive mulch. Banana foliar K concentration was significantly higher in both mulch treatments (full and recessed) than in the control (no mulch) plots. The mulched plots had greater recharge after rainfall events and higher soil water contents during dry periods due to increased infiltration in the mulched plots. However, the mulched plots also exhibited significantly higher banana weevil densities and greater plant damage than the control plots. There was no difference in weevil damage with mulch location, although weevil density was higher in the fully mulched plots throughout most of the trial. Despite greater weevil damage, the treatments that were mulched yielded significantly heavier bunches. Hence the effects of the mulch on soil water infiltration and banana foliar nutrient status outweighed the detrimental effects of banana weevil damage.
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spelling CGSpace982052024-08-27T10:35:52Z Effects of mulch location on banana weevil, nutrients, soil water, and biomass in banana McIntyre, B.D. Gold, Cliford S. Ssali, H. Riha, S.J. musa weevils cosmopolites sordidus soil fertility Major constraints to banana (Musa spp., genome group AAA) production, a dietary staple for over 70 million people in sub-Saharan Africa, are pest infestations, poor nutrition and inadequate water. Although mulch can improve soil water and nutrient status, many farmers believe it also promotes the proliferation of banana weevil (Cosmopolites sordidus), one of the most serious banana pests. In this study, we evaluated the effects of mulch location (mulch to base of banana pseudostem; mulch recessed 1 m from the pseudostem) on banana weevil, soil and plant nutrient status, soil water, and banana growth and development. After 3 years, the fully mulched plots had significantly more soil Ca and Mg than plots that did not receive mulch. Banana foliar K concentration was significantly higher in both mulch treatments (full and recessed) than in the control (no mulch) plots. The mulched plots had greater recharge after rainfall events and higher soil water contents during dry periods due to increased infiltration in the mulched plots. However, the mulched plots also exhibited significantly higher banana weevil densities and greater plant damage than the control plots. There was no difference in weevil damage with mulch location, although weevil density was higher in the fully mulched plots throughout most of the trial. Despite greater weevil damage, the treatments that were mulched yielded significantly heavier bunches. Hence the effects of the mulch on soil water infiltration and banana foliar nutrient status outweighed the detrimental effects of banana weevil damage. 2003-12-01 2018-11-14T06:53:48Z 2018-11-14T06:53:48Z Journal Article https://hdl.handle.net/10568/98205 en Limited Access Springer McIntyre, B.D., Gold, C.S., Ssali, H. & Riha, S.J. (2003). Effects of mulch location on banana weevil, soil and plant nutrients, soil water and biomass in banana fields. Biology and Fertility of Soils, 39(2), 74-79.
spellingShingle musa
weevils
cosmopolites sordidus
soil fertility
McIntyre, B.D.
Gold, Cliford S.
Ssali, H.
Riha, S.J.
Effects of mulch location on banana weevil, nutrients, soil water, and biomass in banana
title Effects of mulch location on banana weevil, nutrients, soil water, and biomass in banana
title_full Effects of mulch location on banana weevil, nutrients, soil water, and biomass in banana
title_fullStr Effects of mulch location on banana weevil, nutrients, soil water, and biomass in banana
title_full_unstemmed Effects of mulch location on banana weevil, nutrients, soil water, and biomass in banana
title_short Effects of mulch location on banana weevil, nutrients, soil water, and biomass in banana
title_sort effects of mulch location on banana weevil nutrients soil water and biomass in banana
topic musa
weevils
cosmopolites sordidus
soil fertility
url https://hdl.handle.net/10568/98205
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