TITLE:
Potential Biostimulant Effect of Clam Shells on Growth Promotion of Plantain PIF Seedlings (var. Big Ebanga & Batard) and Relation to Black Sigatoka Disease Susceptibility
AUTHORS:
Cécile Annie Ewane, Félix Ndongo, Katy Ngoula, Paul Martial Tene Tayo, Stephen Obol Opiyo, Thaddée Boudjeko
KEYWORDS:
Plantain (Musa spp.), PIF Seedlings, Clam Shells, Biostimulant Potential, Biofertilizer, Biopesticide, Black Sigatoka Disease
JOURNAL NAME:
American Journal of Plant Sciences,
Vol.10 No.10,
October
18,
2019
ABSTRACT: Plantain contributes significantly to income generation and food security for millions
of people in the world. However, it faces problems of seedlings quantity,
quality and availability. The innovation of the
“plants issus de fragments de tiges” (PIF) technique could be a solution to
these problems for small holders’ farmers. The aim
of this research is to evaluate the effect of clam shells through amendment of Batard
and Big Ebanga PIF substrate, on the growth promotion of seedlings and their protection
against black Sigatoka disease (BSD). Plantain PIF seedlings of the two
varieties were grown in a substrate amended with 1% concentration of the clam
shells powder in the presence of negative control in the sterile and
non-sterile conditions. Agromorphological characteristics, susceptibility level
to BSD, total proteins and polyphenols content were assessed. Because of the
presence of clam shells in the substrates, explants germinated quickly,
generated high number of shoots, grew taller by 32%, with a diameter of pseudo
stems of 30%, and area of leaves of 18% compared to control. In addition, the
seedlings were less susceptible to BSD by 73% compared to those of controls.
The treatment seems to allow the accumulation of larger amounts of total proteins
and polyphenols before inoculation and after inoculation that could participate
in the growth promotion and the reduction of plant’s susceptibility level. Clam
shells treatment acts as a biofertilizer/biopesticide and could be helpful to
boost production of plantain seedlings, the use of the by-products of fishing
in agriculture and helps alleviate poverty of small holders’ farmers.