Effect of a Biostimulant Based on Natural Products on the Growth of Plantain Bananas Plants under Field Conditions and on Fruit Quality

Abstract

Background & Aims: Plantains are consumed all over the world and are mainly grown extensively due to the unavailability of seeds in sufficient quantity and quality, disease and the high cost of agricultural inputs. Recent studies have highlighted the positive effect of biostimulants on seedlings growth promotion and protection in the greenhouse and the nursery such as plantains, cocoa, vegetables etc. The aim of our study is to confirm this positive effect of biostimulants on the agronomic performance of plants in the field, as well as their effect on the quality of fruit. Place and Duration of Study: Laboratory of Phytoprotection and Valorization of Genetic Resources of the Centre for Biotechnology, and the Laboratory of Biochemistry and Plant Physiology of Higher Teacher’s Training College, University of Yaounde 1, between November 2022 and January 2026. Methodology: The plants were watered with the biostimulant (BS), the positive control (NPK) and water (W) as negative control throughout their growth in the field until the fruit was obtained. We evaluated the agro-morphological parameters of the plants and the fruit treated. Results: The results obtained show that the biostimulant (BS) significantly improves the agronomic performance of plants and fruits compared to the positive control (NPK) and water (W). Indeed, it increases the diameter and the number of leaves of plants 2.2 and 1.1 times respectively compared to the controls (NPK) and (W). The accumulation of total phenols and total proteins in the leaves of plantain banana was 2 times more important in the leaves treated with biostimulant compare to the one treated with water, while it was 2.5 times more important for total sugars. Similarly, it improved flowering time, ripening time, total plant growth time, bunch weight, total number of fingers on hand 1, hand 1 weight and hand 2 weight 42.6 days, 23.1 days, 59.6 days, 4.3kg, 1.6, 1.2 and 0.5 times respectively compared with the controls (NPK) and (W). Conclusion: The biostimulant is thus an effective tool for promoting eco-responsible agriculture, a healthy, balanced organic plant feeding, good quality plantain fruit and the fight against poverty.