The long-term objective is to expand the range of varieties available to meet the challenges of agroecological cropping systems, climate change and food sovereignty. However, clonal selection is also taken into account in order to value the large varietal diversity collected in the Congo Basin, the secondary diversification zone of the plantain group. The plantain group is distinguished from other cooking bananas by its particular organoleptic traits which are highly appreciated by African, Latin American and Caribbean consumers.

The selection of new varieties is a lengthy process, from early screening in the greenhouse to participatory varietal evaluation in farmers' fields. For populations derived from plantain or other related groups, a key preliminary step is a molecular marker-assisted screening to select only those seedlings that have not inherited infectious eBSV alleles. This step is made in the greenhouse before moving to the field.

The first selection phase involves a single plant per genotype. It allows an initial characterisation of resistance to bio-aggressors (black weevil, black leaf streak, nematodes), yield parameters (bunch weight, number of hands, fruit length and diameter …) and cooking or other processing ability. The objective is to select the genotypes that have retained as much as possible the ‘plantain-type’ organoleptic qualities. At the end of this first phase, the selected hybrids with the promising plantain varieties (selected in the germplasm collection) are multiplied and then evaluated on station in a multi-local system in order to determine their adaptability to various soil and climatic conditions and their yield potential. Stakeholders of the plantain value-chain are involved in this second phase (field visits by farmers, tasting tests) in order to gather information on the hybrid acceptability.

The third and final selection phase is based on a large varietal participatory system that consists of evaluating in farmer’s fields a panel of hybrids/selected landraces. This variety panel is chosen jointly with the various actors of the plantain value-chain. This participatory system involves a network of on-station reference plots as well as multiple farmer’s plots conducted according to their current cropping practices. This participatory system serves as a forum for interaction and dialogue between the various actors of the value-chain (from researchers, extensionists to farmers) in order to facilitate the adoption of new varieties.

Key publications

Depigny S., et al. (2018). CARBAP K74: a triploid plantain-like hybrid designed to promote sustainable plantain-based cropping systems. In : Van den Bergh Inge (ed.), Risède Jean-Michel (ed.), Johnson Vincent (ed.). Proceedings of the X International Symposium on Banana: ISHS-ProMusa Symposium on Agroecological Approaches to Promote Innovative Banana Production Systems. Louvain : ISHS, p. 63-70. (Acta Horticulturae, 1196). International Symposium on Banana: ISHS-ProMusa Symposium on Agroecological Approaches to Promote Innovative Banana Production Systems. 10, 2016-10-10/2016-10-14, Montpellier (France). DOI: 10.18167/DVN1/PBFILQ DOI: 10.17660/ActaHortic.2018.1196.7

Tomekpe K., (2012). Multistakeholder innovation platforms for the plantain value chain. In : Good practices in building innovative rural institutions to increase food security. Case studies. Rome : FAO. p. 100-105. ISBN 978-92-5-106898-4.

Nkapnang Djossi, I. N., Tomekpé, K., Schoubroeck, F. H. J. V., Bikoï, A., Ndemba, B., Lama, M., Ngnigone, C., Lokossou, B., Hocdé, H., & Lançon, J. (2010). A regional network of dialogue and exchange platforms to improve the identification of farmer’s needs and the dissemination of new cultivars of banana and plantains (Musa spp.). Acta Horticulturae. https://doi.org/10.17660/actahortic.2010.879.85

Tomekpe, K., Kwa, M., Dzomeku, B.M. and Ganry, J. (2010). CARBAP and innovation on the plantain banana in Western and Central Africa. International Journal of Agricultural Sustainability 9(1):264-273.  http://dx.doi.org/10.3763/ijas.2010.0565