Browsing by Author "Blomme, G."

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The alarming spread of banana Xanthomonas wilt in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo and its impact on food security and income
(Global Science Books, Ltd, 2010) Dowiya, N. B.; Blomme, G.; Dheda, D. B.; Rweyemamu, C.; Velly, D.; Vigheri, N; Milambo, A.; Eden-Green, S.; Karamura, E.; Maerere, A.
Xanthomonas wilt of banana (caused by Xanthomonas campestris pv. musacearum) is an unforgiving disease. Rather than merely reducing yield, as do many diseases, it causes the fruit to ripen prematurely and rot. Since 2001, the disease has spread to several countries in east and central Africa. It was first observed in the territory of Masisi, 72 km northwest from Goma in North Kivu Province, DR-Congo in 2001. During a survey conducted in May 2006 in the framework of the USAID-funded Crop Crisis Control Project (C3P), Xanthomonas wilt was also observed in the Mahagi and Irumu territories, Oriental province (north-eastern DR-Congo close to the border with Uganda) and in the region between Beni (north Kivu, DR-Congo) and Bundibugyo (western Uganda). Here the disease had most likely spread from infected areas across the border in Uganda. It had also spread over an area with a 50 km radius in Kitchanga, Masisi, North Kivu. A survey conducted in May 2008 in the framework of the Belgian-funded project CIALCA, reported that Xanthomonas wilt had entered South Kivu (Minova, Kalehe territory). In north Kivu the disease is currently present in the districts of Masisi, Rutshuru, Beni, Nyiragongo and Walikale and in Oriental province the disease is currently present in the Mahagi and Irumu districts. The disease has thus spread over an area more than 600 km long (north-south axis). At least two million people in eastern DR-Congo are impacted by this disease which threatens food security and farm income. The most important means of dissemination are infected planting materials, contaminated farm tools and insect vector transmission. Extension efforts to contain the spread of Xanthomonas wilt are hampered by insecurity and inaccessibility of large parts of eastern DR-Congo.
Relationship between root and shoot growth traits during the plant crop and first ratoon in banana and plantain (Musa spp.) and its implications for perennial cultivation on degraded Ultisols in south-eastern Nigeria
(Journal of Applied Biosciences, 2008) Blomme, G.; Swennen, R.; Soka, G. E.; Turyagyenda, F. L.; Tenkouano, A.
Objective: This study assessed the relationships of root and shoot growth within and across two consecutive crop cycles in 32 widely differing Musa spp. genotypes. Methodology and results: A reduction in leaf area, corm weight, root dry weight, cord root number and length occurred during the reproductive stage of both the plant crop and the first ratoon cycle. Most leaves died off during the reproductive stage, while the decay of the outer leaf sheets resulted in a reduction of the pseudostem circumference. The corm fresh weight was reduced by 20 and 13 % during the reproductive stage of the first and the second cycle, respectively. A reduction in cord root number of 8 and 12 % was observed during the reproductive stage in the first and second cycle, respectively. Cord root length was reduced by 40 % during the reproductive phase of both cycles. The effect of crop cycle was significant on the different corm traits and the cord root diameter. The corm of the first ratoon plants was bigger and taller than the corm of the plant crop, resulting in a slight increase in number and diameter of cord roots. In contrast, cord root length of the first ratoon was less than that of the plant crop. Number of suckers decreased from 16 to 12, while height of the tallest sucker was 120 cm and 68 cm at flower emergence of the plant crop and the first ratoon crop, respectively. Significant positive correlations were observed between mother plant (plant crop) and sucker growth characteristics, mostly within but not across genotypes. Conclusion and application of findings: While fast-growing plants may also have better developed suckers, it is not apparent that breeding for genotypes with a larger root system would lead to better suckering. The observed reduction in sucker vigour during the reproductive phase of the ratoon crop may be attributed to the observed high mat and possible soil degradation. This would affect plant anchorage and stability, and limit possibilities for perennial production of bananas and plantains under mono-cropping conditions on degraded Ultisols.