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ECOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE OF PLANTAIN AGRO ECOSYSTEMS OF HUMID TROPICS

ABSTRACT

Plantain are traditionally cultivated in the humid agro-ecological zone of humid tropics. Their production has expanded from the fertile backyards or compound gardens to the field where the soil fertility can not sustain continuous cropping without external inputs. A field trial was conducted in Humid tropics zone in the rainforest zone of Nigeria, from 2000 to 2002, to assess the effect of mulching with sawdust at 20 MT/ha and NPK (20:10:10) fertilizer at 50, 100 and 150kg/ha, on the productivity of plantain/cocoyam mixture.

Fertilizer was applied sole or in combination with sawdust mulch and treatments were laid out in a randomized complete block design in three replications. The highest intercrop productivity was found in mulched

plots fertilized at 150 kg/ha NPK. The highest plantain bunch and cocoyam yields in 2000/2001 were 21.0 and 4.6 tonnes/ha respectively, while in 2001/2002, their respective yields were 22.0 and 4.80 tonnes/ha. Plantain bunch yield in 2000/2001 in mulched fertilized plots exceeded that in the control by 45, 58 and 61%, at the fertilizer rates of 50,100 and 150 kg of fertilizer/ha, respectively. Yield increases in the corresponding treatments in 2001/2002 were 62, 73 and 74%, respectively. For Cocoyam, the yield increases (2000/2001) in the same treatments were 72, 76 and 83 %, in 2001/2002, the increases were 79%, 84% and 88%, respectively. The peak aggregate yields of the crops were 25.6 and 26.8 tonnes/ha in 2000/2001 and 2001/2002, recorded the highest cumulative intercrop yield of 52.4 tonnes/ha at 20 tonnes/ha sawdust mulch(SDM) + NPK at 150 kg/ha. Thus, this level of crop management could enhance the sustainable productivity of plantain/cocoyam intercrop under field conditions.

CHAPTER ONE

1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Plantains (Musa spp.) are grown throughout the tropical and subtropical regions of the world. They are a key staple food in many developing countries and a source of income for subsistence farmers (Pérez-Vicente, 2012). Plantains are one of the main agricultural crops in the world, and the main fruit crop, with an annual production of about 117 Mt (Lescot, 2011). Plantains are also a major, multibillion dollar export commodity for consumption primarily in developed countries. International trade of plantains represents 14 Mt/year with a value of around 4 billion US$ (Loeillet, 2005).

The production of plantains for this international trade is grown in a small number of tropical countries mainly located in Latin America (80%), in African and Asian countries. In all these countries, this industry is economically important and a source of direct and indirect employment. Globally, plantains are grown on 5.4 million ha, with a production of 36 million Mt. Both plantain and plantain play an important role in food security and the livelihood of the growers. Plantain and plantain production are hence important in terms: Economic [contribute to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and serve as cash crop] Food security provide staple food (only around 50% of plantain production is exported) Have deep social and cultural roots

Plantains represent the world’s second largest fruit crop with an annual production of 129,906,098 metric tons. They rank as the fourth most important global food commodity after rice, wheat and maize in terms of gross value of production. Over the years a myriad of problems tend to militate against the production of this crop especially in the tropics. Some of these problems are weeds. Robinson stressed that weeds are a major constraint in the production of this crop for subsistence farmers.

In West Africa, weed growth is very prolific and lack of effective weed control is a key factor in the overall cotton yield decline. Currently, most researchers are particularly concerned with identifying management techniques that could suppress weed without paying attention to the economics of such identified technique. Anderson (1996) reported that weeds in plantain can be controlled through mulching, use of herbicides and manually. It is feasible to control weeds in plantain biologically using Egusi melon (Colocynthis citrullus).

Anderson (1996) while recommending mulching as an efficient weed control technique enumerated several other mulched materials that could be used as hay, manure, grass clippings, straw sawdust, wood chips, rice hulls, paper and plastic films. Whereas, chemical weed control was judged to be expensive and noxious, manual weeding was reported as damaging maize root systems (22). Avarez De La Pena (2) reported good control of different weed species with the use of Roundup (glyphosate) applied at 3-5 litres/ha for Cyperus or at 5-7 litres/ha for Cynodon dactylon in plantains without injury.

Plantain production as a business like every other enterprise is aimed at profit maximization by the farmer. There is therefore the need to have a comparative understanding of the economic return on production investment of this crop. The aim of this study therefore was to evaluate the economics of producing plantain under six weed management systems considering the bunch yield and other yield parameters of the crop.

1.2 OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY

1. To examine the ecological footprint of a Plantain.

2. To examine the socioeconomic importance of the Plantain Tree (Musa Spp.) in a Humid Tropical Zone.

3. To examine Plantain value chain mapping in Humid Tropical Zone.

5. To identify th chemical input impacts of Plantain industry.

6. To examine the environmental effects of Plantains.

1.3 RESEARCH QUESTION

1. What are the ecological footprint of a Plantain?

2. What are the socioeconomic importance of the Plantain Tree (Musa Spp.) in a Humid Tropical Zone?

3. Does chemical input imparts on Plantain industry?

4. Does environment affects of Plantains?

1.4 SCOPE OF THE STUDY

The scope of this study covers ecological perspective of plantain agro ecosystems of humid tropics as a case study.

1.5 LIMITATION OF THE STUDY

The limitations to the study include:

Finance: There were some difficulties in the funding of the research work for it was personally funded.

Materials: Inaccessibility and paucity of materials where necessary posed a great challenge to the exercise.

Time and Resources: The researcher did not have all the time and resources for effective study. Often the respondents did not have enough time to attend to the researcher as some refused to respond

1.6 DEFINITION OF TERMS

Ecological Perspective: Drawing from natural ecosystems which are defined as the network of interactions among organisms and between organisms and their environment, social ecology is a framework or set of theoretical principles for understanding the dynamic interrelations among various personal and environmental factors.