S21 - Session P1 - African yam bean (Sphenostylis stenocarpa) intercrop enhances growth of micro-propagated plantain (Musa sp. aab cv. ‘agbagba’)

Authors: Catherine Oluwakemi Esuola *, Odunayo Joseph Olawuyi

Bananas and plantains ( Musa spp.) are a major staple crop, providing food and income security to many smallholder households in Africa. In large scale production of plantains, micro-propagation methods have been used. However, growing micro-propagated plantains can be very challenging in nutrient depleted soils. In this study, the growth of micro-propagated plantain ( Musa sp. AABcv. 'Agbagba') intercropped with three accessions (TSs 1, TSs 4, and TSs 6) of African yam bean (AYB) in field trials was investigated. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design in triplicates and data collected on plantain height (cm), leaf length (cm), leaf area (cm), leaf number, and stem girth (mm) monthly until 4 months after planting (MAP). Micro-propagated plantain without AYB served as the control. The results at 4 MAP showed that micro-propagated plantain intercropped with AYB TSs1, TSs 6, and TSs 4 were significantly taller with heights of 38.2 cm, 39.4 cm, and 41.8 cm, respectively, compared with 28.0 cm in the control. AYB TSs 4 had a significant (P < 0.05) effect on plantain leaf length (45.8 cm) and stem girth (8.2 mm) when compared to 28.1 cm and 7.8 mm, respectively, in the control. Also, a significant increase in the average number of leaves (6.2 to 12.4) at P < 0.05 was observed for intercrop with AYB TSs 6. Therefore, intercropping micro-propagated plantain with the underutilized AYB for enhancing growth is promising.