Abstract

Plantains are an important food crop traditionally grown in shifting agriculture patterns throughout the rain forest zone of Cameroon. For the first few years after clearing the forest, fertility is high and plantains can be grown easily, but after a year or two of cropping, fertility declines and production decreases. The objectives of this project are to select plaintain cultivars for stable yield, disease, pest, and storm resistance; to develop improved agronomic practices for plantains; and to train researchers in plantain and associated crop research.

Post-Project Summary

This project introduced, tested, and selected plantain varieties for high and stable yield; disease and pest resistance; and storm resistance. Forty-five plantain varieties from all parts of Cameroon were assembled at Ekona; two varieties were selected for multiplication, then eight others were selected for further trials in varying ecological conditions. In terms of disease and pest resistance, trials were conducted on the use of insecticides for borer control, and on the use of MOCAD for nematode (parasitic worms) control. In addition, a variety that was resistant to black sigatoka was being multiplied for testing. Comparative studies of organic manures with mineral fertilizers; and of intercropping groundnuts and cocoyams with plantains and bananas were also in progress on the experimental station. It was noted that a considerable amount of planting material of Njock-Korn and French Sombre was sold to farmers, resulting in a small profit for the multiplication program. West African plantain researchers presented research results at their annual meeting in Cameroon in 1982. The project continued in a second phase.

Recipient Institution(s)