Knowledge and challenges for the development of agroecology in the banana sector
Banana production still relies heavily on pesticides and chemical inputs, despite an increasing societal demand for cleaner bananas. This demand is reflected in both hard and soft law. Agroecology offers an alternative paradigm, using a clever combination of multiple levers to address various challenges. One challenge is controlling Black Sigatoka and other foliar diseases. Black Sigatoka produces two types of spores with contrasting dispersal capacities. Hedgerows can help limit the dispersal of the disease. The potential for regulation of the disease through agroecological practices is promising. Another challenge is the ecological control of black weevil and other pests. Fallow periods and mass trapping have proven effective in controlling these pests. It is the combination of agroecological practices that makes the control of Cosmopolites sordidus efficient. Soil preservation is another important challenge. Cover crops can help preserve soil health and have benefits on many processes, making them a key component of agroecological systems. Preventing emerging pests and diseases is also crucial. Several hypotheses have been proposed for how agroecology can regulate these threats, including occupying ecological niches, increasing antagonist species and predators, diluting hosts, slowing pathogen dynamics, and using species with direct effects such as fungicidal properties. Finally, it is important to give value to agroecology. Today, some growers are able to produce bananas without using insecticides. Agroecology is still in its infancy and societal awareness and demand are increasing. It requires more knowledge from growers to manage their fields, making tight relations between growers, extension services, and research more important than ever. Labels and recognition for cleaner production methods need to be developed to make them more visible to consumers and economically profitable for growers.
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| Format: | conference_item biblioteca |
| Language: | eng |
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MCI Australia
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| Online Access: | http://agritrop.cirad.fr/604686/ http://agritrop.cirad.fr/604686/1/Tixier%202023%20Communication%20to%20Australian%20Banana%20Industry%20Congress.pdf |
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