publication
Collecting banana diversity in eastern Indonesia
https://hdl.handle.net/10568/72949
Abstract
Major diseases, including Fusarium wilt tropical race 4, threaten banana production systems worldwide. New sources of genetic resistance are considered necessary in the fight against such diseases. The triangular region of Indonesia taking in Sulawesi, the Maluku Islands and Lesser Sunda Islands was prioritized by the Global Musa Genetic Resources Network, MusaNet for exploration and collecting. It is just east of the 'Wallace Line…
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On-farm banana (Musa) cultivar diversity status across different altitudes in North and South Kivu provinces of eastern Democratic Republic of Congo
https://hdl.handle.net/10568/72953
Abstract
A Musa germplasm diagnostic study assessed on-farm Musa diversity and farmer selection criteria in different altitudes of North Kivu (NK) and South Kivu (SK) in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, an important zone of secondary diversification of plantains (AAB genome) and East African highland bananas (EAHB, AAA genome). Diversity was…
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The field verification activity: a cooperative approach to the management of the global Musa in vitro collection at the International Transit Centre
https://hdl.handle.net/10568/73057
Abstract
The International Transit Centre (ITC) (Bioversity International, KULeuven, Belgium) currently holds the largest ex situ collection of Musa germplasm, partly available to researchers, breeders and the larger Musa community via the online ordering system in the Musa Germplasm Information System (MGIS). It is thus extremely important that…
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Genotyping the local banana landrace groups of East Africa
https://hdl.handle.net/10568/73060
Abstract
Crop landraces (largely resulting from adaptation and continuous selection by farmers) are more diverse within field populations than modern cultivars (produced by deliberate crossing), yet their distribution has continued to shrink in the past decades. The temporal dynamics of this shrinking is little known. The analysis of genetic variation within and between landraces is essential for making efficient breeding and conservation…
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Abiotic stress research in crops using -omics approaches: drought stress and banana in the spotlight
https://hdl.handle.net/10568/73063
Abstract
Evaluating crop biodiversity is a challenging task and needs to integrate knowledge from different levels. This overview paper offers ways to tackle this challenge, illustrated by the case for drought tolerance in banana. KU Leuven hosts the International Musa Germplasm Collection managed by Bioversity International for safe storage and distribution in order to secure the cropRSQUOs genepool…
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Altitude effect on plantain growth and yield during four production cycles in North Kivu, Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo
https://hdl.handle.net/10568/73214
Abstract
This study assessed the effect of altitude on growth and yield of five commonly grown plantain (Musa, AAB) cultivars at four sites, Mavivi (1,066 m a.s.l.), Maboya (1,412 m a.s.l.), Butembo (1,815 m a.s.l.) and Ndihira (2,172 m a.s.l.) in North Kivu, Democratic Republic of Congo. The cultivars included three 'French' plantains ('Nguma', '…
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Suppression of the ubiquitin E2 gene through RNA interference causes mortality in the banana weevil, Cosmopolites sordidus (Germar)
https://hdl.handle.net/10568/73223
Abstract
RNA interference (RNAi) is a natural defense mechanism triggered by double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) for protection of cells against foreign parasitic nucleic acids. The RNase III enzyme Dicer processes dsRNAs into short small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) that degrade the specific mRNA. RNAi has been demonstrated in a range of organisms including coleopterans and has a…
publication
Publication of the results of the International Musa Testing Programme, Phase III (IMTP III)
https://hdl.handle.net/10568/73224
Abstract
The International Musa Testing Programme (IMTP) was set up to evaluate the performance of banana synthetic hybrids and somaclonal variants, as well as traditional cultivars and wild Musa species, in the presence of biotic and abiotic constraints in multi-locational field trials around the world. Three phases of the IMTP have been conducted. The report on the results of the most recent phase, IMTP…
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The performance of East African highland bananas released in farmers' fields and the need for their further improvement
https://hdl.handle.net/10568/73225
Abstract
East African highland bananas (AAA, EAHB) form over 80% of the banana cultivars in the Great Lakes region and are a source of food and income for over 40 million in the region. The production of these bananas has been constrained by pests, diseases, soil fertility decline and most recently climate change stresses. Farmers have been managing these problems using…
publication
Introduced banana hybrids in Africa: seed systems, farmers' experiences and consumers' perspectives
https://hdl.handle.net/10568/73228
Abstract
Over the past three decades, more than 40 banana cultivars have been introduced in eastern and southern Africa for evaluation and dissemination to smallholder farmers facing banana productivity challenges. This study analyses the seed systems used to avail the genotypes to the target users, discusses farmers' experiences and consumers' perspectives in five countries NDASH…
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Potential of Trichoderma asperellum for biocontrol of Fusarium wilt in banana
https://hdl.handle.net/10568/73229
Abstract
A total of 72 fungal endophytes were isolated from surface-sterilized roots of healthy 'Gros Michel' (AAA genome, Gros Michel subgroup) banana plants in Turrialba, Costa Rica. In vitro and in vivo tests were carried out in order to identify microorganisms with potential activity against Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense (Foc, race 1). In vitro tests revealed that 22 isolates inhibited the growth of Foc.…
publication
The banana Xanthomonas wilt epidemic in east and central Africa: current research and development efforts
https://hdl.handle.net/10568/73230
Abstract
Xanthomonas wilt is currently the major biotic threat to banana production in East and Central Africa (ECA). The recommended management options for the disease include destruction of infected plants, disinfecting tools used in the plantation, using clean planting materials, early removal of male buds and quarantine measures. These efforts to control the disease have produced partial…
publication
Organic bananas in Sudan: challenges and opportunities for developing export chains
https://hdl.handle.net/10568/73243
Abstract
In the mid-2000s, the Ministry of Agriculture of Sudan started a project to promote rural development by exporting organic bananas to the Middle East and Europe. The project entailed a demand-driven coherent design of an export chain. For the European market, the potential to grow organic bananas is promising, as Sudan offers fertile soils with a climate exerting low disease pressure. A value-chain analysis…
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Exploring the effectiveness of a rapid participatory method in mapping the role of agricultural biodiversity in local food systems to identify potential entry points to improve peoples' capabilities to be nutrition secure
https://hdl.handle.net/10568/77184
Abstract
Vietnam has improved its food security situation at the price of losing traditional varieties adapted to local tastes and conditions due to increased production and use of high-yield crop varieties (mainly large scale mono-cropping). Decreased diversity of foods is a…
publication
Evaluation and ex situ conservation of indigenous (Naati) mango cultivars
https://hdl.handle.net/10568/77405
Abstract
Mango is one of the most important fruit crops, valued commercially for its taste and quality. India is the major centre of diversity as far as Mangifera indica is concerned. Due to rapid industrialization large number of local (Naati) indigenous cultivars is being lost. An attempt was made to collect, evaluate and conserve indigenous types 35 locally on farm in two locations at Chittoor, Andhra Pradesh. The main idea…
