The rate of adoption of tissue-culture banana at smallholder farmer level in Uganda has been low since the technology was introduced over 20 years ago. This study assessed farmer perception, soil biotic and abiotic factors influencing tissue culture banana (TCB) production, and compared the effect of integrated soil amendments on TCB growth in smallholder farms in Uganda. A cross-sectional survey on 280 smallholder farmers sampled from four districts of western Uganda was conducted among farmers growing both TCB and non-tissue culture banana (NTCB). The responses were subjected to Principal Component Analyses. Nested Case-Control design within smallholder banana orchard farmers was used to establish the interactions between selected biotic and abiotic parameters. Composite root and soil samples were collected from 20 banana orchards, and processed to determine the status of selected nutrients and numbers of plant parasitic nematodes. Banana weevil traps on a total of 1,280 banana mats were used to establish the spatio-temporal and biophysical interactions that exist in banana orchards. Variations in banana weevils trapped, nematodes and soil nutrients extracted were subjected to Redundancy Analysis and nested ANOVA at 5% critical value. Field experiments were carried out to establish the effect of integrated soil amendments on TCB growth. Banana cultivars of Mpologoma and Kibuzi were treated with 0g, 100 g, 300 g, and 500 g of NPK, 0, 5, 10, and 15 litres per plant of both cow manure and banana brew bio-slurries, respectively. Combinations of 100 in 5L, 300 in10L, and 500 in 15L NPK and sole bio-slurries, were applied to the two tissue cultured cultivars. Observations were made on soil and plant banana growth parameters at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months after planting. Composite root samples were analysed for Helicotylenchus multicintus, Radopholus similis Pratylenchus goodeyi, and Meloidogyne spp. Disc-on-stump and split pseudo-stem traps were laid to establish banana weevil variations vis-à-vis the amendments. Phytochemicals were extracted from composite root samples of the banana cultivars by maceration at room temperature with n-hexane (50ml) for 48 hours and sample extracts analyzed by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry. Demographic and farmer perceived factors influenced (p ≤ 0.05) the decision to adopt or reject TCB technology. When exposed to weevil and nematode pests in heterogeneous banana orchard conditions, both TCB and NTCB were equally infested with banana weevil and nematodes. Infestation by weevils and nematodes was higher and significant [Pr (>F) 0.0343*] in TCB than NTCB during the dry season. Mean banana weevil density was higher for TCB and NTCB orchards in Kiruhura District than any other district. While the highest mean nematode density was recorded for the district of Ibanda, Helichotelenchus multicinctus and Radopholous similis were found most prevalent in western Uganda. High banana weevil and nematode populations densities independently and negatively influenced TCB adoption (p<0.001). Adoption of NTCB was largely influenced by the banana weevil (P<0.05) than it was by nematodes in the same farmers‘ fields (p>0.05). Variations in soil pH, and N significantly (p<0.001) influenced TCB distribution and adoption. Small amounts of organic and inorganic soil amendments equally caused normal TCB growth up to 12 months after planting and significantly provided nutrients at variable depths. Kibuzi cultivar was more infested with H. Multicinctus than Mpologoma cultivar, which was more infested with P. goodeyi. Generally, Mpologoma was found more prone to nematode infestation by all the four genera under this study. Nematodes and banana weevil populations significantly (p<0.001) reduced with application of organic amendments, compared to the control. The study established that there are variations in the occurrence of phytochemicals in the root of banana of different cultivars due to treatment application, which probably acted as a defence against the weevils and nematode attack. Farmers most likely accepted type of banana that co-exists with pest infestation in those management practices that are probably affordable by the smallholder farmers. Critical understanding of seasonal and spatial distribution of banana xiv weevils and nematodes is an essential basis for developing strategic and affordable treatments to manage the pests below the threshold level in smallholder banana farms of Uganda. Key words: Tissue culture banana, adoption, banana yield, Banana weevil, nematode, biophysical interactions, bio-slurry, organic amendments, phyto-chemicals.

show more