Scientific basis for banana cultivar proportions on-farm in East Africa

Banana (Musa spp.) production and diversity in the East African region, has been on the decline for the last 20 years due to both a biotic and biotic problems. There has been an ecological and socio-economic imbalance in the East African Highland banana (Musa AAA-EA) growing systems due to this decline. However, farmers have been growing these bananas in cultivar mixtures, a practice which ensures the continuous sustainability of the system. Cultivar mixtures, however, seem to be in specific proportions based on the strength and weakness of eachcultivar and so affecting the clone sets to which cultivars belong, as well as providing predictions on the conservation status of each clone set. The primary objective of the study was to account for the farmers’perceptions behind cultivar proportions and to understand the scientific basis of these proportions in selected sites in East Africa. The study was carried out in Karagwe, Bushenyi and Masaka districts in East Africa, a region considered to be a secondary centre of diversity for bananas. Thirty farms were sampled in one selected parish/ward in the three sites for ecological data. The quadrat method was used to record abundances of identified cultivars in order to determine the cultivar proportions. Ethno-botanical data collected on traditional knowledgewas analysed for twenty-three identified traditional cultivar-selection criteria used in the participatory rural appraisal (PRA), as well as interviews from 15 key informants of each study area. A total of 105 cultivars were identified, 76% of which were the East African Highland bananas. Although fourteen cultivars were common to the three sites, Masaka had the highest proportion with Nfuuka cultivar leading the five clone sets. Cultivar diversity indices explained the proportions in terms of richness and evenness and Nfuuka was the richest clone set. Although all clone sets were represented at each site, they were not evenly distributed; a factor which is disadvantageous in the conservation status of the crop. While results indicated that the agro-ecological and traditional utilisation criteria formed the basis for cultivar proportions on farm for both Karagwe and Masaka, farmers were found to do so because of the high traditional values attached to the crop. However, knowing cultivar proportions in terms of richness and evenness can assist in predicting the stability or change in diversityof banana growing sites

Banana cultivar distribution in Rwanda

Rwanda is part of the East African plateau where banana (Musa spp.) reach their greatest importance as a staple food crop, covering 23% of land and grown by 90% of households. The region is considered a secondary centre of diversity for banana and many cultivars do exist although limited information is available on the diversity andtheir distribution in the country. In the past, banana have been a highly sustainable crop in Rwanda, but with the introduction of various diseases and pests in the last 10 -20 years, production has fallen by over 40%. The objectives of this study were to (i) establish the current diversity and distribution of banana cultivars, (ii) understand factors that affect the distribution, and (iii) identify possible synonyms and material for expansion of the National Banana Germplasm Collection. A study was conducted in four major banana growing regions ofRwanda. Twelve sites and sixty farms were used in this study. A quadrat method was used to make observations and counts of cultivars grown per farm. Farmer interviews were carried out on each farm to make assessments on the distribution of cultivars. Cultivar identification was done by farmers and subsequently verified using the national banana germplasm collection database of the ISAR-Rubona Research Institute. Clone set identification was done using the Karamura classification system. The Kigali region had the highest diversity index, followedby Kibungo and Cyangugu; while Lake Kivu border region scored the lowest diversity index. Cultivar evenness also differed, with Cyangugu being the highest and Kivu Lake the lowest. There were two major banana subgroups determined at all sites, Lujugira-Mutika with 77.8% abundance and Pisang Awak with 11.9% abundance.A total of 104 cultivar names were recorded, with 53 synonyms identified for 51 cultivars. Forty cultivars belonged to Lujugira-Mutika subgroup, with ‘Intuntu’, ‘Intokatoke’, ‘Injagi’, ‘Mbwaziruma’ being the most abundant cultivars, while eleven cultivars were exotic. Gisubi (ABB), Gros Michel (AAA), and ‘Kamaramasenge’ (AAB) were the most abundant. Farms with a higher proportion of Gisubi contained fewer other cultivars. Also, new cultivars were identified and these should be added to the National Banana germplasm collection

Scientific Basis For Banana Cultivar Proportions On-Farm In East Africa

Banana ( Musa spp.) production and diversity in the East African region, has been on the decline for the last 20 years due to both a biotic and biotic problems. There has been an ecological and socio-economic imbalance in the East African Highland banana (Musa AAA-EA) growing systems due to this decline. However, farmers have been growing these bananas in cultivar mixtures, a practice which ensures the continuous sustainability of the system. Cultivar mixtures, however, seem to be in specific proportions based on the strength and weakness of each cultivar and so affecting the clone sets to which cultivars belong, as well as providing predictions on the conservation status of each clone set. The primary objective of the study was to account for the farmers' perceptions behind cultivar proportions and to understand the scientific basis of these proportions in selected sites in East Africa. The study was carried out in Karagwe, Bushenyi and Masaka districts in East Africa, a region considered to be a secondary centre of diversity for bananas. Thirty farms were sampled in one selected parish/ ward in the three sites for ecological data. The quadrat method was used to record abundances of identified cultivars in order to determine the cultivar proportions. Ethno-botanical data collected on traditional knowledge was analysed for twenty-three identified traditional cultivar-selection criteria used in the participatory rural appraisal (PRA), as well as interviews from 15 key informants of each study area. A total of 105 cultivars were identified, 76% of which were the East African Highland bananas. Although fourteen cultivars were common to the three sites, Masaka had the highest proportion with Nfuuka cultivar leading the five clone sets. Cultivar diversity indices explained the proportions in terms of richness and evenness and Nfuuka was the richest clone set. Although all clone sets were represented at each site, they were not evenly distributed; a factor which is disadvantageous in the conservation status of the crop. While results indicated that the agro-ecological and traditional utilisation criteria formed the basis for cultivar proportions on farm for both Karagwe and Masaka, farmers were found to do so because of the high traditional values attached to the crop. However, knowing cultivar proportions in terms of richness and evenness can assist in predicting the stability or change in diversity of banana growing sites.La production et la diversité de la banane ( Musa spp) dans cette région, a été sur le déclin pour le dernier 20 ans en raison des problèmes biotiques. Il y a eu un déséquilibre écologique et socio-économique dans la région montagneuse Africaine del 'Est (banane de montagne, Musa AAA-pièce) des systèmes de croissance en raison de ce déclin. Cependant, les agriculteurs ont grandi ces bananes dans les cultivars associés, une pratique qui garantit la durabilité continue du système d'association de cultivar, cependant, semble être dans les proportions spécifiques fondées sur la resistance et la faiblesse de chaque cultivar et affectant si les séries clones semblables aux lesquelles les cultivars appartiennent, de même que fournir les prédictions sur le statut de conservation de chaque série absolument semblable. L'objectif primaire de l'étude était de représenter les agriculteurs les perceptions derrière les proportions de cultivar et comprendre la base scientifique de ces proportions dans les sites choisis en Afrique de l'Est. L'étude a été exécuté dans Karagwe, les quartiers de Bushenyi et Masaka dans l'Afrique de l'est, une région considérée être un centre secondaire de diversité pour les bananes. Trente fermes ont été echantillonné dans une localité/section choisie dans les trois sites pour les données écologiques. La méthode de quadrat a été utilisée pour enregistrer des abondances de cultivars identifiés pour déterminer les proportions de cultivar. Les données Ethno-botaniques recueillies sur la connaissance traditionnelle ont été analysées pour vingt-trois critères de sélection traditionnelle de cultivar identifiés utilisés dans l'estimation rurale participative (PRA), de même que les entretiens de 15 informateurs clés de chaque secteur d'étude. Un total de 105 cultivars a été identifié, 76% dont étaient les bananes de montagne de l'Afrique de l'Est. Bien que quatorze cultivars étaient communs aux trois sites, Masaka a eu la plus haute proportion de cultivar de Nfuuka menant les cinq séries des clones. Les index de diversité de cultivar ont expliqué les proportions sur le plan de la richesse et de l'égalité et Nfuuka était la série de clone la plus riche. Bien que toutes séries de clones aient été représentées à chaque site, ils n'ont pas été également distribués ; un facteur qui est défavorable dans le statut de conservation de la récolte. Pendant que les résultats ont indiqué que les critères d'utilisation agro-écologiques et traditionnels ont formé la base pour les proportions de cultivar sur la ferme pour Karagwe et Masaka, les agriculteurs ont été trouvés entrain de beaucoups travailler à cause des hautes valeurs traditionnelles attachées à la récolte. Cependant, sachant les proportions de cultivar sur le plan de la richesse et de l'égalité peuvent aider à prédire la stabilité ou le changement dans la diversité de croissance de banane dans les sites

Banana Cultivar Distribution In Rwanda

Rwanda is part of the East African plateau where banana ( Musa spp.) reach their greatest importance as a staple food crop, covering 23% of land and grown by 90% of households. The region is considered a secondary centre of diversity for banana and many cultivars do exist although limited information is available on the diversity and their distribution in the country. In the past, banana have been a highly sustainable crop in Rwanda, but with the introduction of various diseases and pests in the last 10 -20 years, production has fallen by over 40%. The objectives of this study were to (i) establish the current diversity and distribution of banana cultivars, (ii) understand factors that affect the distribution, and (iii) identify possible synonyms and material for expansion of the National Banana Germplasm Collection. A study was conducted in four major banana growing regions of Rwanda. Twelve sites and sixty farms were used in this study. A quadrat method was used to make observations and counts of cultivars grown per farm. Farmer interviews were carried out on each farm to make assessments on the distribution of cultivars. Cultivar identification was done by farmers and subsequently verified using the national banana germplasm collection database of the ISAR-Rubona Research Institute. Clone set identification was done using the Karamura classification system. The Kigali region had the highest diversity index, followed by Kibungo and Cyangugu; while Lake Kivu border region scored the lowest diversity index. Cultivar evenness also differed, with Cyangugu being the highest and Kivu Lake the lowest. There were two major banana subgroups determined at all sites, Lujugira-Mutika with 77.8% abundance and Pisang Awak with 11.9% abundance. A total of 104 cultivar names were recorded, with 53 synonyms identified for 51 cultivars. Forty cultivars belonged to Lujugira-Mutika subgroup, with 'Intuntu', 'Intokatoke', 'Injagi', 'Mbwaziruma' being the most abundant cultivars, while eleven cultivars were exotic. Gisubi (ABB), Gros Michel (AAA), and 'Kamaramasenge' (AAB) were the most abundant. Farms with a higher proportion of Gisubi contained fewer other cultivars. Also, new cultivars were identified and these should be added to the National Banana germplasm collection.Le Rwanda fait partie du plateau d'Afrique de l'Est où la banana ( Musa spp.) atteint leur plus grande importance comme une récolte de nourriture d'agrafe, couvrant 23% de terre et cultivé par 90% de ménages. La région est considérée un centre secondaire de diversité pour la banane et beaucoup de variétés existent bien que l'information disponible est limitée sur la diversité et leur distribution dans le pays. Dans le passé, la banane a été une récolte extrêmement viable au Rwanda, mais avec l'introduction de diverses maladies et de diverses pestes dans le dernier 10 -20 ans, la production est tombée à plus de 40%. Les objectifs de cette étude étaient d' (i) établir la diversité et la distribution actuelles de cultivars de banane, (ii) comprendre des facteurs qui affectent la distribution, et (iii) identifier des possibles synonymes et le matériel pour l'expansion de la Collection de Germplasm de Banane Nationale. Une étude a été dirigée dans quatre régions majeures du Rwanda qui developpent la culture de bananes. Douze sites et soixante fermes ont été utilisées dans cette étude. Une méthode de quadrat a été utilisée pour faire des observations et des comptes de cultivars grandis par ferme. Les entretiens d'agriculteur ont été exécutés sur chaque ferme pour faire des évaluations sur la distribution de cultivars. L'identification de cultivar a été faite par les agriculteurs et par la suite vérifiée utilisant la base de données de collection de germplasm de banane nationale de l'Institut de Recherche d' ISAR-Rubona. L'identification de série clone a été faite en utilisant le système de classification de Karamura. La région de Kigali a eu le plus haut indice de diversité, suivi par Kibungo et Cyangugu ; pendant que la région de frontière de Kivu de Lac a marqué l'indice de diversité plus bas. La région de Kigali a eu le plus haut indice de diversité, suivi par Kibungo et Cyangugu ; pendant que la région frontalière du Lac Kivu a marqué l'indice de diversité plus bas. L'égalité de cultivar a différé aussi, avec Cyangugu est le plus haut et Lac Kivu le plus bas. Il y avait deux sous-groupe majeur de banane résolu à tous sites, Lujugira-Mutika avec 77,8% abondance et Pisang Awak avec 11,9% abondance. Un total de 104 noms de cultivar a été enregistré, avec 53 synonymes identifiés pour 51 cultivars. Quarante cultivars ont appartenu au sous-groupe de Lujugira-Mutika, avec « Intuntu », « Intokatoke », « Injagi », « Mbwaziruma » est les cultivars les plus abondants, pendant que onze cultivars étaient exotiques. Gisubi (ABB), Gros Michel (AAA), et « Kamaramasenge » (AAB) étaient le plus abondant. Les fermes avec une plus haute proportion de Gisubi contenaient de moins autres cultivars. Aussi, les nouveaux cultivars ont été identifiés et ceux-ci devraient être ajoutés à la collection de germplasm de Banane Nationale