Authors
Walter Ocimati, Jules Ntamwira, Jeroen CJ Groot, Godfrey Taulya, Pablo Tittonell, B Dhed’a, P Van Asten, Bernard Vanlauwe, B Ruhigwa, Guy Blomme
Publication date
2019/10/1
Journal
European Journal of Agronomy
Volume
110
Pages
125923
Publisher
Elsevier
Description
Banana leaf pruning is a common practice to facilitate intercropping with legumes on farmers’ fields. It is however not clear if this practice improves farmers land-use and economic efficiency, especially after full canopy formation. To analyze pruning effects, three legumes viz. bush bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L), climbing bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L) and soybean (Glycine max), were planted under three banana leaf pruning levels in which four, seven and all fully grown leaves were retained. Sole banana or legume plots served as controls. Each treatment combination was replicated three times. Banana growth and yield attributes were measured for the plant and first ratoon crops while legume biomass and yields determined over five consecutive cropping seasons. Significant (P < 0.001) reductions in banana growth and yield were associated with leaf pruning. Banana yield reductions of 31% and 10% for the four …
Total citations
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