Publications des agents du Cirad

Cirad

Management practices and incidence of pests in plantain (Musa paradisiaca AAB) crops. Consequences on the sustainability of the cropping systems

Loranger-Merciris G., Damour G., Deloné-Louis Jeune B., Ozier-Lafontaine H., Dorel M., Sierra J., Diman J.L., Lavelle P.. 2023. Applied Soil Ecology, 189 : 9 p..

DOI: 10.1016/j.apsoil.2023.104904

Plantain (Musa paradisiaca AAB) is one of the most important staple crops in the tropics, particularly in the Caribbean. Pests are the main constraint to plantain production and yield increases may be possible by improving pest management. However, there is a lack of data on these cropping systems and a need to identify new elements of improved production systems that can control pests in line with the principles of agroecological transition. In this study, we test the hypothesis that crops grown in good quality soils are less susceptible to pests. To this end, an agroecological diagnosis of the biological, physical, morphological and chemical soil conditions and the occurrence of pests, in particular plant-parasitic nematodes, was carried out on 21 plantain plots with contrasting management in Guadeloupe (French West Indies). After classifying these plots according to their management practices, from conventional to agroecological, we searched for relationships between cropping systems, soil quality and pests using a series of synthetic quality indices. Four different cropping systems were identified and compared: conventional intensive, intermediate, low-input and agroecological, according to the type and amount of agrochemicals used. Our data showed that the Chemical Index was significantly improved in the agroecological systems due to increases in pH, CEC, base saturation and total C and N content. The Morphological Index increased regularly from intensive to agroecological systems and was significantly higher in agroecological systems with higher proportions of biogenic aggregates. Soil macroinvertebrate communities were significantly influenced by production systems, with the highest values of the Macrofauna Index in low input and agroecological production systems. We also showed that plant parasitic nematodes were better regulated in agroecological production systems. Furthermore, the agroecological system achieved similar levels of crop production to convent

Mots-clés : agroécosystème; agroécologie; pratique agricole; musa (plantains); système de culture; qualité du sol; durabilité; lutte biologique contre les ravageurs; ravageur des plantes; musa paradisiaca; france; guadeloupe

Documents associés

Article (a-revue à facteur d'impact)

Agents Cirad, auteurs de cette publication :