Battle Against Black Sigatoka: Multilocational Appraisal Of Plantain Hybrids Fhia 21 And Pita 3 With Local Landrace Orishele
Amani N'Guessan Kouadio
Université Peleforo GON COULIBALY, UFR Sciences Biologiques, Département de Biochimie-Génétique, Unité Pédagogique et de Recherche (UPR) de Génétique, BP 1328 Korhogo, Côte d’Ivoire
Nathalie Akissi Kouassi
Université Peleforo GON COULIBALY, UFR Sciences Biologiques, Département de Biochimie-Génétique, Unité Pédagogique et de Recherche (UPR) de Biochimie, BP 1328 Korhogo, Côte d’Ivoire
Abstract
Plantain (Musa spp. AAB) stands as a crucial staple crop across West and Central Africa, Latin America, and Asia, making it a key contributor to food security for approximately 70 million people in these regions (Dadzie and Orchard, 1996; Robinson, 1996; Fao, 2010). This versatile and high-starch produce, cultivated year-round by small-scale farmers, not only serves as a primary source of calories but also plays a significant role in generating income for millions of producers and retailers, thereby contributing to household food security (Nkendah and Akyeampong, 2003). Grown in diverse agroecosystems from the humid forest to the moist savannah in West and Central Africa, plantain production spans across countries, including Guinea Bissau in the west to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in the southeast (Norgrove and Hauser, 2014). The cumulative annual production of plantain is substantial, reaching 47.93 million tons globally (Fao, 2020). In Côte d'Ivoire, plantain takes precedence as the third most significant starchy staple, boasting an annual production average of 1.7 million tonnes, with consumption estimates ranging from 80 to 120 kg per capita (Thiémélé et al., 2017). Despite its socioeconomic importance, the Ivorian banana sector remains largely informal, characterized by traditional varieties with low productivity and vulnerability to pests and diseases. Notably, the formidable obstacle to plantain production in the region is Black Sigatoka, a leaf spot disease caused by the fungal pathogen Mycosphaerella fijiensis (Vuylsteke et al., 1993). The persistence of this disease poses a considerable threat to plantain cultivation, demanding urgent attention for sustainable management and enhanced productivity. This research seeks to address the challenges posed by Black Sigatoka in the Ivorian plantain sector, aiming to develop effective strategies for disease management and improve overall plantain productivity. Through a comprehensive exploration of the socioeconomic importance of plantain, the study aims to contribute to the development of sustainable and resilient agricultural practices, ultimately enhancing food security in the region.