IPGRI-INIBAP IPM project 02: Enhancing capacity for nematode management in small-scale banana cropping systems.

Duration: April 1, 2002 to March 31, 2007.

Purpose: To improve banana production at the small-holder level through the development of an alternative method for the management of nematodes in small-scale banana cropping systems, to strengthen NARS nematological training and research capacity.

Background/description: Bananas (Musa spp.) are one of the most important crops grown in the Philippines. More than 75% of the banana producers in the Philippines are small-scale farmers who grow the crop mainly for local consumption. However, the Philippines is also the world’s fourth largest exporter of bananas and the crop therefore provides an important source of foreign currency, realising export revenues of more than 200 million US $ annually. The Philippines is located in the centre of origin of bananas and it is in this region that the greatest diversity of both wild and cultivated types of banana can be found. Many of the globally important pests and diseases of banana also originated in this region. As a result of co-evolution of pathogen and host, many important sources of resistance may exist in the region. The nematodes Radopholus similis and Meloidogyne sp. have long been present in Philippine soils. Their existence however, was not a problem until large volumes of nematode-infected 'Giant Cavendish' banana planting materials were imported from Central America and commercially raised by farmers in the early 70's. The nematodes spread to the native banana varieties and became a prominent production problem throughout the country. Plant-pathogenic nematodes are difficult to control. In commercial plantations, chemical control measures are used, but such nematicides too expensive for smallholder farmers. Furthermore, nematicides are highly toxic and accumulate in the environment. Alternative nematode management strategies are clearly needed. In the proposed project, banana varieties which are either resistant or less susceptible to nematodes will be identified and their usefulness in small-scale, low-input banana production systems evaluated. Although in the Philippines plant-pathogenic nematodes are recognised as important production constraints, not only of banana but also of many other agricultural crops, the national capacity in nematological training and research is too low to adequately deal with the numerous problems. Plant-pathogenic nematodes are not only a limiting factor in the production of banana in the Philippines, they also cause heavy yield losses in most other Southeast Asian countries where, as in the Philippines, bananas provide an essential source of food and income for millions of (mostly poor) people. In an attempt to identify varieties with natural resistance to pests and diseases and which are suitable for production at the small-holder level, INIBAP organises an International Musa Testing Programme (IMTP). The project will This project will increase NARS capacity in nematology, screen the Southeast Asian Musa germplasm collection for nematode resistance sources for world-wide use in the classical breeding of improved Musa varieties, and disseminate information on nematode host response and resistance in the Southeast Asian Musa germplasm collection to banana researchers and breeders world-wide via the MGIS.

Agroecozone(s) and location(s): Philippines, Southeast Asia

Expected outputs: a) Banana varieties which are either resistant or less susceptible to plant-pathogenic nematodes will be identified and their usefulness in small-scale, low-input banana production systems evaluated; b) existing banana varieties multiplied and distributed among small-scale farmers, and alternative nematode management strategy quickly put into practice; b) decreased use of nematicides with increased yield resulting from the use of the banana varieties; c) NARS nematology capacity and infrastructure developed to enable the CA-UPLB to become a centre of excellence in plant nematology in the Philippines and in the region; d) Information on nematode host response and sources of nematode resistance will be made available to Musa researchers and breeders world-wide; d) higher income for the smallholders and higher food production.

Potential impact and beneficiaries: There will be decreased use of nematicides, increased food production, higher income for the smallholder. Farmers who benefit from the banana varieties will be made aware of nematodes as a production constraint. A greater awareness of nematodes, and the damage they cause, will have spill-over effects on the control of nematodes on other crop species

Partners: a) Catholic University of Leuven (K.U.Leuven), Belgium; b) University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB), Philippines; c) Flemish Office for Development Cooperation and Technical Assistance (VVOB), Belgium; d) International Network for the Improvement of Banana and Plantain - Asia Pacific (INIBAP-AP), Philippines.

Development investor(s): a) Flemish Interuniversity Council (VLIR), Belgium; b) Flemish Office for Development Cooperation and Technical Assistance (VVOB), Belgium; c) International Network for the Improvement of Banana and Plantain - Asia Pacific (INIBAP-AP), Philippines.

INIBAP contact person(s)/principal investigator(s): Inge van den Bergh i.vandenbergh@cgiar.org