IeCAB2010 June 1-15 Timing of Bunch Pruning Management Enhances Bunch and Fruit Qualities of ‘PITA...

IeCAB2010 June 1-15IeCAB2010 June 1-15

Timing of Bunch Pruning Management Timing of Bunch Pruning Management Enhances Bunch and Fruit Qualities Enhances Bunch and Fruit Qualities

of ‘PITA 24’ Plantain (of ‘PITA 24’ Plantain (MusaMusa AAB) AAB) Hybrid Hybrid

11Baiyeri, K. P.; Baiyeri, K. P.; 11Aba, S. C. and Aba, S. C. and 22Tenkouano, A.Tenkouano, A.

11Dept. of Crop Science, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria.Dept. of Crop Science, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria.22International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, P.M.B 5320, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, P.M.B 5320,

Ibadan, Oyo state, Nigeria.Ibadan, Oyo state, Nigeria.

PITA 24


INTRODUCTIONINTRODUCTION Many pests and diseases, especially black leaf Sigatoka Many pests and diseases, especially black leaf Sigatoka

disease (disease (Mycosphaerella fijiensisMycosphaerella fijiensis), have significantly ), have significantly affected affected MusaMusa cultivation over the years and have cultivation over the years and have spurred genetic improvement programs.spurred genetic improvement programs.

The use of resistant cultivars is considered the most The use of resistant cultivars is considered the most appropriate component in efforts to control the diseases. appropriate component in efforts to control the diseases. Improved genotypes could be readily adopted by Improved genotypes could be readily adopted by farmers.farmers.

‘‘PITA 24’, a secondary triploid plantain-derived hybrid PITA 24’, a secondary triploid plantain-derived hybrid is among the is among the MusaMusa genotypes recently selected by the genotypes recently selected by the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) for biotic stress tolerance and improved yield.for biotic stress tolerance and improved yield.


Introduction …Introduction … This genotype produces a very large bunch of about 9-12 This genotype produces a very large bunch of about 9-12

hands (nodal clusters), but only the first four to five hands (nodal clusters), but only the first four to five proximal hands are properly filled to marketable proximal hands are properly filled to marketable fingers. fingers.

Fruit size is an important commercial characteristic for markets specializing in plantains. Therefore, the poor Therefore, the poor fruit-filling feature of ‘PITA 24’could have a negative fruit-filling feature of ‘PITA 24’could have a negative impact on its adoption potential.impact on its adoption potential.

Recent studies on ‘PITA 24’ (Aba Recent studies on ‘PITA 24’ (Aba et alet al., 2009 & Baiyeri ., 2009 & Baiyeri et alet al., 2009)., 2009) proved that the selective removal of male proved that the selective removal of male bud and few distal hands from a developing bunch has bud and few distal hands from a developing bunch has the potential to increase the size and grade of harvested the potential to increase the size and grade of harvested fruits.fruits.


Introduction …Introduction … However, reports on sink-source modifications in banana However, reports on sink-source modifications in banana

fruit growth differ between studies; and may be related to fruit growth differ between studies; and may be related to differences in fruit age at the time bunch pruning was differences in fruit age at the time bunch pruning was performed. performed.

Westwood (1978) noted that the earlier and heavier Westwood (1978) noted that the earlier and heavier ‘thinning’ or ‘pruning’ is done, the larger the final fruit size.‘thinning’ or ‘pruning’ is done, the larger the final fruit size.

In many fruit trees, pruning when applied at the In many fruit trees, pruning when applied at the appropriate timeappropriate time improves fruit size, colour and improves fruit size, colour and organolepticorganoleptic qualities,qualities, reduces limb breakage, hencereduces limb breakage, hence producing fruits of more alluring appearance at harvestproducing fruits of more alluring appearance at harvest . .

Pruning, assures that assimilates are not wasted on the non-Pruning, assures that assimilates are not wasted on the non-essential portions of the bunch, but channelled for the essential portions of the bunch, but channelled for the optimum growth of the remaining fruits.optimum growth of the remaining fruits.


This study investigated the post-anthesis This study investigated the post-anthesis

period at which bunch pruning would be period at which bunch pruning would be most effective in enhancing the bunch and most effective in enhancing the bunch and fruit qualities of ‘PITA 24’ plantain.fruit qualities of ‘PITA 24’ plantain.

ObjectiveObjective


Materials and MethodsMaterials and Methods:: Experimental Site:Experimental Site: The experiment was conducted The experiment was conducted at the High Rainfall Station of the International at the High Rainfall Station of the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Onne (4Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Onne (400 43 43''N, 7N, 70 0

0101''E, 10 m a.s.l.), Rivers state Nigeria.E, 10 m a.s.l.), Rivers state Nigeria.

Design of Experiment:Design of Experiment: Bunch pruning (i.e., Bunch pruning (i.e., removal of two distal hands and the male bud) was removal of two distal hands and the male bud) was applied at full anthesis (at the opening of the last applied at full anthesis (at the opening of the last female hand) or at weekly intervals of 1, 2, 3 or 4 female hand) or at weekly intervals of 1, 2, 3 or 4 weeks thereafter. These were compared with a no-weeks thereafter. These were compared with a no-prune control in a randomized complete block prune control in a randomized complete block design of four replications.design of four replications.


Data CollectionData Collection Data were collected at harvest on the followingData were collected at harvest on the following

Bunch weightBunch weight Number of hands & fingers per bunchNumber of hands & fingers per bunch Number of properly filled fruitsNumber of properly filled fruits

Bunch fill index Bunch fill index

Weights of hands 1- 6 (proximal hands)Weights of hands 1- 6 (proximal hands) Mean fruit weight, length & girth of 4 middle fingers per handMean fruit weight, length & girth of 4 middle fingers per hand Pulp fresh weightPulp fresh weight Fruit edible proportionFruit edible proportion

Pulp dry matter content Pulp dry matter content

Days to fruit-filling (i.e., time lapse between flowering and harvest)Days to fruit-filling (i.e., time lapse between flowering and harvest)

Harvest index Harvest index

Fruit yield (tonnes) per hectareFruit yield (tonnes) per hectare

100BiomassdAbovegrounTotal

YieldBunch

100bunchper count fruit Total

fruits filledproperly ofNumber

100htFruit weig

weightpulpFresh

100htfresh weig Pulp

dry weight Pulp

100htFruit weig

weightpulpFresh


Data AnalysisData Analysis

The data collected were subjected to Analysis of The data collected were subjected to Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) following RCBD model Variance (ANOVA) following RCBD model using GENSTAT Release 7.2 DE (GENSTAT, using GENSTAT Release 7.2 DE (GENSTAT, 2007). 2007).

The separation of treatment means for significant The separation of treatment means for significant effects was by least significant difference (LSD) effects was by least significant difference (LSD) at 5 percent probability level as described in Steel at 5 percent probability level as described in Steel and Torrie (1980).and Torrie (1980).


ResultsResults

Bunch and fruit quality traits generally improved with Bunch and fruit quality traits generally improved with bunch pruning until 3 weeks after bunch anthesis (see bunch pruning until 3 weeks after bunch anthesis (see Table below).Table below).

There was a drop in bunch-fill index, number of There was a drop in bunch-fill index, number of properly filled fruits, harvest index, fruit yield and properly filled fruits, harvest index, fruit yield and individual fruit size when pruning was delayed for 4 individual fruit size when pruning was delayed for 4 weeks after full bunch anthesis.weeks after full bunch anthesis.

The best quality fruits were obtained when pruning The best quality fruits were obtained when pruning was applied immediately after the opening of the last was applied immediately after the opening of the last female hand (i.e., at full bunch anthesis). Fruit traits on female hand (i.e., at full bunch anthesis). Fruit traits on Figure 1 showed clearly that quality of fruits improved Figure 1 showed clearly that quality of fruits improved with pruning up till 3 weeks after bunch anthesis. with pruning up till 3 weeks after bunch anthesis.

Table 1: Bunch and fruit traits as influenced by time of pruning applicationTable 1: Bunch and fruit traits as influenced by time of pruning application

FA = at full anthesis; WAFA = Week(s) after anthesis; Bchwt = Bunch weight; nHds = Number of hands per bunch; nFgs = Number of fingers per bunch; BFI = Bunch fill index; PFF = Number of properly filled fruits; HI = Harvest index; FYld = Fruit yield per hectare; Hdwt = Hand weight; FW = Fruit weight; FL = Fruit length; FG = Fruit girth; EP = Fruit edible proportion; PDMC = Pulp dry matter content; LSD(0.05)= Least significant difference at 5 % probability level; ns = Non-significant

Time of Pruning

Bchwt [kg]

nHds [#]

nFgs [#]

BFI [%]

PFF [#]

HI [%]

FYld [tha-1]

Hdwt [kg]

FW [g]

FL [cm]

FG [cm]

EP [%]

PDMC [%]

FA 16.1 7.5 131.6 64.3 84.4 26.5 24.1 2.3 118.3 22.5 10.7 51.9 26.2

1WAFA 15.9 7.6 133.2 61.1 80.7 24.2 23.7 2.2 111.8 22.2 10.4 52.5 25.5

2WAFA 15.5 7.5 133.3 62.4 85.2 25.3 23.1 2.4 113.3 21.6 10.4 53.5 26.4

3WAFA 16.7 7.5 133.6 60.5 88.3 25.5 25.1 2.3 114.9 21.8 10.6 55.4 25.7

4WAFA 14.1 7.5 131.2 52.7 68.4 23.7 21.0 2.1 105.5 21.4 10.2 51.6 27.0

CONTROL 15.0 9.6 162.2 42.5 68.9 25.8 22.1 1.9 98.1 21.1 10.0 50.3 26.1

LSD (0.05) ns 0.7 17.6 6.8 10.4 ns 2.8 0.4 12.1 0.9 0.4 2.4 ns

IeCAB2010 June 1-15IeCAB2010 June 1-15Figure 1: Bar charts showing the fruit quality traits as influenced by time of bunch pruningFigure 1: Bar charts showing the fruit quality traits as influenced by time of bunch pruning


Conclusion and application of Conclusion and application of findingsfindings

Our results confirmed that bunch and fruit qualities Our results confirmed that bunch and fruit qualities of plantain could be improved through a judicious of plantain could be improved through a judicious and timely application of bunch pruning.and timely application of bunch pruning.

For optimum result, bunch pruning management For optimum result, bunch pruning management should not be delayed beyond 3 weeks after the should not be delayed beyond 3 weeks after the opening of the last female hand.opening of the last female hand.

IeCAB2010 June 1-15 Timing of Bunch Pruning Management Enhances Bunch and Fruit Qualities of ‘PITA...

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