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Article

From Waste to Wealth: Boosting Productivity in Kenyan Smallholder Farmer Fields with Fluopyram-Treated Banana Fibre

by
Janet G. Atandi
1,2,*,
John M. H. Choptiany
2,
James Kisaakye
2,
Calvince Orage
2,
Dennis O. Omayio
1,
Kanan Saikai
2,
Solveig Haukeland
3,4 and
Danny Coyne
2,5
1
Department of Biological Sciences, Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 190, Kakamega 50100, Kenya
2
International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), icipe Campus, P.O. Box 30772, Nairobi 00100, Kenya
3
International Center of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), P.O. Box 30772, Nairobi 00100, Kenya
4
The Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research (NIBIO), P.O. Box 115, 1431 Ås, Norway
5
Nematology Research Unit, Department of Biology, Ghent University, K.L. Ledeganckstraat 35, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Crops 2026, 6(5), 83; https://doi.org/10.3390/crops6050083
Submission received: 23 June 2026 / Revised: 20 August 2026 / Accepted: 21 August 2026 / Published: 27 August 2026
(This article belongs to the Topic Recent Advances in Soil Health Management)
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Abstract

Potato (Solanum tuberosum) is a key staple crop in Kenya, where plant-parasitic nematodes are among the most damaging yield constraints for smallholder farmers. This study evaluated fluopyram-treated banana fibre paper, a biodegradable carrier for targeted delivery of ultra-low nematicide doses, under on-farm conditions in Nyandarua County over three consecutive cropping seasons across properly and poorly managed fields. Seventeen nematode genera were identified, with Helicotylenchus and Globodera (potato cyst nematode, PCN) recording the highest population densities. Fluopyram-treated banana paper significantly suppressed Globodera juvenile densities and reduced total nematode reproductive factors by ≥26% and PCN cyst multiplication factors, the effects most pronounced under poor management. No significant nematode suppression was observed under good management. Total yield in fluopyram treatment approximately doubled in well-managed plots and increased by ~50% in poorly managed plots relative to untreated controls. Fluopyram-treated plots also produced a higher proportion of large-grade tubers under proper management, improving marketable yield. These findings demonstrate that banana fibre technology can effectively manage nematode pests under variable real-world smallholder conditions, with yield benefits amplified by good agronomic practices. The technology offers a practical, climate-smart, and sustainable nematode management tool, with potential for wide adoption across sub-Saharan Africa.

Graphical Abstract

1. Introduction

Originating in the Andean highlands of South America, potato (Solanum tuberosum) is a starchy tuber crop that has become one of the most important food crops globally [1]. Potato production plays a central role in the livelihoods and diets of many households across East Africa, where it serves as both a staple food and a key source of income. In Kenya, the crop is widely cultivated by smallholder farmers and is particularly important in highland regions, such as Nyandarua and Elgeyo Marakwet [2]. The potato sector has experienced steady growth in recent years, driven in part by increasing urban demand and the expansion of processed potato markets. Despite this, and despite an increasing area of potato cultivation, production has remained limited, with national yields lagging behind global benchmarks; most farmers achieve approximately one third of its biophysical potential [3]. This persistent yield gap stems from numerous constraints that combine to limit crop production, undermining its importance as an economic and food security commodity [4,5,6].
Degraded soils, poor seed quality, suboptimal varieties, and pests are major factors limiting productivity [7,8]. Among these, plant-parasitic nematodes are particularly destructive, causing up to 80% potato yield losses, depending on weather patterns [9]. The impact of nematodes is also expected to intensify as climate change results in warmer soils, accelerating pest multiplication rates, shortening lifecycle duration, and expanding host ranges [10]. By damaging root systems and compromising plant nutrient uptake and subsequent yields, nematodes also indirectly degrade soil health, reducing organic matter inputs and carbon sequestration potential, leading to an increased demand for more land cultivation. In turn, this impact on soils exacerbates vulnerability to drought and erosion, creating a self-reinforcing cycle of productivity loss and ecological degradation. Increasing demand and increasing pest impacts will create a multi-factor challenge for farmers and food security across Kenya and Africa.
The use of conventional nematicides has been shown to reduce yield losses through nematode suppression [11,12]. For example, abamectin disrupts the nervous system, causing nematode paralysis [13], while fluopyram is a succinate dehydrogenase inhibitor which disrupts nematode mitochondrial respiration and energy metabolism [14]. However, the repeated use of chemical nematicides poses environmental and health risks [15,16]. They can disrupt soil biota, affect carbon turnover, and contaminate water systems [17] and are toxic to humans.
Transitioning towards soil- and climate-smart nematode control methods is therefore critical for achieving sustainable intensification and meeting climate adaptation and mitigation goals while also protecting human health. The use of banana fibre paper as a biodegradable organic carrier for the sustained release of nematicides presents an integrated climate-smart management technique [18,19]. The high cellulose content of banana fibre contributes to excellent paper-forming properties and liquid-holding capacity, while its lignin component provides structural integrity and influences decomposition rates in soil [20]. The technology entails enclosing seed material with nematicide-treated banana fibre paper at planting [21,22], resulting in enhanced yields through the suppression of nematodes, leading to improved ecosystem functioning [23,24] and reduced nematicide applications, which also leads toward improved human health and climate change mitigation [25,26,27,28].
Although banana fibre paper treated with nematicides, including abamectin, fluopyram, and Trichoderma-based formulations, has previously been evaluated on potatoes [20,23,29], this has been reported from activities conducted under researcher-managed and screenhouse conditions. To date, the efficacy and performance of the technology under real smallholder farmer practices, especially across varied levels of farmer management, has yet to be demonstrated. The present study seeks to address this gap by evaluating banana fibre technology in fields managed directly by farmers, comparing properly managed plots with poorly managed plots in Kenya to provide more real-world evidence for its scalability and potential impact. By integrating pest control with soil health preservation, the approach offers potential for climate-smart and resilient pest management systems suited to smallholder agriculture in East Africa, while reducing indirect greenhouse gas emissions.

2. Materials and Methods

2.1. Site Description

The study was conducted in Kinangop sub-county, Nyandarua County, in the upper highland (UH1) agro-ecological zone in the central highlands of Kenya at 2400–3999 m above sea level. Rainfall is bimodal, averaging 700–1600 mm annually, with mean daily temperatures ranging between 12 and 25 °C. The temperate climate allows for agricultural activities, such as dairy and crop farming, as the main economic activity [30]. Soils are classified as clay-loam volcanic soils of moderate to high soil fertility level [31].

2.2. Experimental Design and Layout

A factorial experiment was established to examine the combined effects of fluopyram-treated banana fibre paper and farmer management practices on nematode population dynamics and potato performance. The experiment was arranged in a randomised complete block design, with individual farmers serving as replications. Ten smallholder farmers located a few meters (<50 m) from each other participated in the study to minimize variations in environmental conditions such as altitude, rainfall, and soil type, while maintaining independence in management and experimental observations. Each farmer hosted two adjacent plots (4 × 5 m each): one plot planted with tubers loosely wrapped in fluopyram-treated banana fibre paper, and a second plot representing the farmer-practice control, without paper. Each plot contained 105 seed tubers of potato cv. Shangi. Within each plot, potato seed tubers, sourced by each farmer, were planted at a spacing of 75 × 30 cm between and within rows, respectively.
Fluopyram is recommended for field application at 0.625 L/ha, equivalent to 250 g fluopyram/ha. For treatment of the banana fibre paper, however, fluopyram was applied at a rate 100 times lower than this field recommendation, equivalent to approximately 2.5 g fluopyram/ha. The diluted spray solution was prepared by mixing 112.5 µL of the fluopyram formulation into 2 L of water, which was then applied evenly across 200 sheets of banana fibre paper, with each sheet measuring 10 × 12.5 cm [23]).
Farmers were categorised into two management groups based on their routine agronomic practices. Five farmers were classified as properly managed fields, while the remaining five operated poorly managed fields. Properly or well-managed fields typically received both organic compost and synthetic fertiliser applications, including di-ammonium phosphate (DAP) applied at planting at 123.6 kg/ha, followed by a top-dressing of calcium ammonium nitrate (CAN) at the same rate. Weed management in these fields consisted of regular manual weeding supplemented with the selective herbicide, Sencor® 480 SC (Bayer CropScience), for the control of common weeds such as Bidens pilosa, Cynodon dactylon, and Galinsoga parviflora. Farmers additionally applied fungicides Infinito® 687.5 SC (Bayer CropScience) and Revus® 250 SC (Syngenta) in alternation to manage foliar fungal diseases. Insect pests, including Tuta absoluta, Aphis gossypii, and Bemisia tabaci, were managed using Profile® 440 EC (Greenlife Crop Protection Africa) and Tihan® OD 175 (Bayer CropScience).
In contrast, poorly managed fields received no fertiliser inputs, herbicides, or fungicides throughout the season, and weed management was limited to a single manual weeding. This arrangement enabled a direct comparison of the performance of banana fibre paper under contrasting farmer-managed agronomic practices, thereby allowing assessment not only of treatment effects but also of the influence of real-world management variability.
The study was conducted over three consecutive cropping seasons during the long (April to July 2021), intermediate (August to October 2021), and short (November 2021 to February 2022) rains (Table 1).

2.3. Sample Collection for Nematodes

Soil samples for nematodes were collected from every plot at both the start and end of each trial, using a systematic cross-diagonal sampling approach. From each plot, five soil cores were taken with a hand trowel from depths ranging between 5 and 30 cm, to form a composite sample of ~2 kg.
All samples were processed within 48 h of collection at the NemAfrica laboratory at icipe, Nairobi, Kenya. For each plot, soil was thoroughly homogenised before subsampling 100 mL of soil and 5 g of roots for the extraction of motile nematode stages using the modified Baermann method [32]. After a 48 h extraction period, the nematode suspension was concentrated to 50 mL by passing it through a 25 µm sieve. Nematodes were counted from three 2 mL aliquots using a Leica MZ12 stereo microscope (Leica Microsystems, Wetzlar, Germany) at ×20 magnification. Identification was carried out on the first 100 nematodes per sample at ×400 magnification following the process developed by Coyne et al. [32], based on morphological features. Nematode densities and identities were recorded at the time of planting (Pi) and at harvest (Pf) for each season. Where applicable, the reproductive factor (RF) was determined following Oostenbrink [33] as: RF = Pf/Pi.
A 200 g portion of soil was subsampled and used to extract cysts of PCN (Globodera rostochiensis) using the Fenwick can floatation method [34]. The recovered cysts were trapped on milk filters and set aside to air-dry for 24 h. Under a Leica MZ12 stereo microscope with top illumination, cysts were gently picked with soft forceps, counted, and then kept in 1.5 mL Eppendorf tubes. The multiplication factor (MF) of cysts, representing the rate of cyst population increase over the cropping season, was calculated following Oostenbrink [33] as: MF = Pf/Pi, where Pf and Pi represent the final and initial cyst densities, respectively. An MF value greater than 1 indicated a net population increase, while a value below 1 indicated suppression or decline.

2.4. Evaluation of Yield Quantity and Quality

For each season, the trials were terminated at maturity between 90 and 100 days after planting. From each plot, the total number of harvested tubers and their fresh weight (kg) were recorded. Tubers were then sorted and graded into three quality classes following Seid and Tessema [35] using a string and ruler: large (>60 mm diameter), medium (30–60 mm), and small (<30 mm). From an economic perspective, two categories were considered, i.e., marketable and unmarketable yield. The unmarketable category included disfigured, diseased, or otherwise damaged tubers. Weight was measured using a handheld digital weighing balance.

2.5. Data Analyses

All data were first assessed for normality using the Shapiro–Wilk test [36] in GraphPad Prism version 10.4.1 (GraphPad Software Inc., San Diego, CA, USA). Homogeneity of variances between treatment groups was evaluated with Levene’s test. Nematode counts, cyst counts, and yield data were analysed using generalised linear mixed-effects models (GLMMs) to account for repeated measurements across cropping seasons and blocking at the farmer level. Treatment (fluopyram-treated paper and control), management practice (proper and poor), and their interaction were considered as fixed effects, while farmer and cropping season were included as random effects. Nematode count data were analysed assuming a negative binomial distribution, and yield data were analysed using a Gamma distribution with a log link due to deviation from normality. A constant (x + 0.001) was added to yield data to allow fitting of Gamma-distributed models. Where ANOVA indicated significant effects, means were separated using Tukey’s Honest Significant Difference (Tukey-HSD) test at p ≤ 0.05. Statistical analyses were carried out using R version 4.2.3 [37].

3. Results

3.1. Nematode Characterisation and Population Densities

Seventeen (17) nematode genera were identified across the on-farm trials during the study period (Table 2). Among the most economically important nematodes, Helicotylenchus and Globodera J2 recorded the highest population densities (χ2 ≥ 118.8, p < 0.001). No significant two- or three-way interaction effects were detected for management practice or season, and data were therefore pooled across these factors for subsequent analyses. However, treatment application had a significant effect on nematode community composition (χ2 = 11.4, p < 0.001). At trial termination, Globodera J2, Filenchus, and Tylenchus population densities were significantly lower in fluopyram-treated plots compared to control plots, while other genera showed no differences between treatments.
Total nematode population densities at Pi ranged between 469 and 533 nematodes per 100 mL of soil across sites but did not differ significantly among the treatments or management practices (χ2 ≤ 0.2, p > 0.1), confirming comparable baseline conditions prior to treatment application (Figure 1). At Pf, crop management practice had no significant influence on total nematode densities (χ2 = 0.2, p = 0.69), whereas treatment application had a significant effect (χ2 = 6.6, p = 0.01), and no treatment × management interaction was detected (χ2 = 0.1, p = 0.75). Under poor management, fluopyram-treated plots recorded a 26.3% reduction in total nematode RF relative to the control, a difference that was statistically significant (χ2 = 19.1, p < 0.001). Under good management, however, no significant difference in RF was observed between the fluopyram-treated and control plots (χ2 ≤ 3.87, p ≥ 0.42) (Figure 1).

3.2. Potato Cyst Nematode Cyst Densities

Initial PCN cyst densities (Pi) did not differ significantly between treatments (χ2 = 0.6, p = 0.44) or management practices (χ2 = 1.4, p = 0.24). Furthermore, no interaction was detected (χ2 = 0.4, p = 0.52), indicating similar baseline cyst densities across the experimental plots and fields (Figure 2). Similarly, the Pf densities were neither influenced by treatment (χ2 = 2.76, p = 0.1) nor management practices (χ2 = 1.5, p = 0.22), and no interaction effect was observed (χ2 = 0.04, p = 0.84). In contrast, the multiplication factor (MF) was significantly affected by treatment (χ2 = 9.30, p = 0.002), with plots planted with tubers wrapped with fluopyram-treated banana papers recording lower MF values than control plots, particularly under poor management practices. Management practices, however, did not influence MF (χ2 = 0.05, p = 0.83), and there was no treatment × management interaction (χ2 = 1.83, p = 0.18).

3.3. Quantity and Quality of Potatoes

Yield was significantly improved when using banana fibre paper, which was much more pronounced under good management than poor management. Overall total yield was greatly affected by treatment (χ2 = 46.40, p < 0.001) and management practices (χ2 = 24.77, p < 0.001), with a significant two-way treatment × management interaction (χ2 = 4.62, p = 0.03). Plots treated with fluopyram paper yielded at least 100% more in the properly managed farms than the poorly managed farms (Figure 3), with the lowest tuber yield observed under control plots in fields maintained under poor crop management practices. With respect to marketability, while there were no significant variations observed for unmarketable yield (χ2 = 0.21, p = 0.07), significant treatment and crop management effects were observed for marketable yield (χ2 ≥ 24.77, p ≤ 0.03). Similar to total yield, fluopyram-treated plots that were properly managed produced the highest marketable yields among the treatment combinations.
Tuber grade distribution, expressed as a proportion of total tubers harvested, differed significantly (p < 0.05) by treatment and management practice (Figure 4). Poor management practices led to at least 5% more small tubers than properly managed plots, while fluopyram-treated plots had a lower (χ2 = 22.09, p < 0.001) proportion of small tubers compared to the controls under both management practices, although their interaction remained non-significant (p > 0.05). For medium-sized tubers, both treatment and management practice had a significant influence (χ2 ≥ 9.80, p ≤ 0.002), where the control recorded a higher proportion of medium tubers relative to the fluopyram-treated plots; however, their interaction was not significant (χ2 = 0.47, p = 0.49). The proportion of large tubers was significantly influenced by both treatment and management practice, including a significant interaction effect (χ2 ≥ 8.32, p ≤ 0.004), and the fluopyram-treated plots under proper management practice exceeded control plots by 10% for large tubers.

4. Discussion

Our study, using farmer-managed field plots in Kenya, reveals a diverse nematode community in smallholder potato systems dominated by G. rostochiensis (PCN), which is a persistent and economically important parasitic nematode in solanaceous cropping systems worldwide [8,38]. During our study, a total of seventeen nematode genera were recorded from across the farmer fields. This high diversity highlights the challenge of nematode management in diverse soil ecologies, which reflects other studies of multi-genus infestations in potato fields [39,40].
Fluopyram-treated banana paper significantly suppressed population densities of G. rostochiensis juveniles, resulting in reduced nematode multiplication. Fluopyram’s ability to impair nematode mobility and reproductive capacity is well known [14,41]. Surprisingly, farmer management practices had no effect on nematode densities, nor was there any interaction with the treatments. This indicates that the agronomic variations implemented in farmer practice, such as differences in land maintenance and nutrient management, were unable to impact nematode population densities, even if they had other important impacts. Such limitations may be attributed to the inherent plasticity of nematodes to rhizosphere, environmental, and climatic variability [42], with the agronomic interventions failing to generate soil suppressiveness [43].
For G. rostochiensis female cyst nematodes, both initial and final cyst densities were homogeneous across treatments and management groups. This likely reflects an overbearing background noise of cysts that have built up over previous seasons of repeated potato cropping, typical of the area [44]. These findings align with the studies of Sukhanova et al. [11] and Bairwa et al. [45], who suggested that cyst nematode management requires a holistic and integrated approach given their persistence in soil and ability to survive adverse environmental conditions through long-lived cysts. However, the constant decline in the multiplication of cysts under fluopyram paper plots under both management regimes indicates the suppressive nature of the technology on PCN. The reduction in active G. rostochiensis juveniles under the same treatment further supports the use of the technology against PCN. Effectively, while actual cyst numbers did not decline, their rate of multiplication and densities of juveniles were significantly reduced under fluopyram paper use, reducing population build-up. Since G. rostochiensis cysts are highly persistent in soil, an MF consistently below one would progressively deplete the soil cyst bank over successive seasons, reducing inoculum on future crops. In contrast, the unchecked MF observed in control plots allowed populations to accumulate with each cycle. This is particularly relevant in Nyandarua, where continuous potato cropping and poor rotation practices favour uncontrolled PCN build-up [44]. Even doses as low as 1.3 mg/mL of fluopyram have proven effective against the incremental build-up of nematodes in soil [14]. The dosages used in the current study, however, were applied at much lower rates of 1 × 108 mg/mL, highlighting the benefits and effectiveness of using the banana fibre carrier. A limitation of this study is that cyst content, specifically whether cysts contained eggs or were empty, was not assessed at the time of extraction. Consequently, the multiplication factor reported here reflects population-level change in cyst density rather than direct evidence of reproductive ability. Future studies should examine cyst content and egg viability at the time of extraction to allow a more precise interpretation of population dynamics.
Crop performance responded positively to the use of fluopyram-treated banana fibre paper and good crop management practices, with major increases (100%) in total and marketable yield, as well as improvements in tuber size distribution compared with control farmer practice plots. Comparable yield gains following nematode suppression have been documented in smallholder potato systems, where reduced nematode densities significantly improved tuber size distribution and marketable yield [46,47]. Our findings are further supported by local field studies showing that targeted suppression of plant-parasitic nematodes can translate into measurable yield gains in potato and related crops [23,48]. The use of fluopyram and similar nematicides has been shown to reduce nematode reproduction and increase potato yields under field conditions [47], while biodegradable delivery matrices for nematode control in East Africa have increased potato yields several-fold relative to farmer practices [20,23]. Improved nematode management is also directly linked to better plant nutrient and water uptake due to healthier root systems [10], which, in turn, supports greater assimilate allocation to tuber bulking and marketable yield fractions. Although not all nematicide applications yield uniform results across species and environments, integrated approaches that combine chemical nematicides with good agronomic practices consistently show stronger yield responses than single measures alone. When this involves a marked reduction in application rates, there are considerable additional benefits to cost efficiency, as well as environmental and human health.

5. Conclusions

Overall, the results demonstrate that fluopyram-treated banana fibre paper is an effective nematode management tool that translates into improved potato productivity. Our findings reveal that targeted nematode suppression disrupts pest dynamics, leading to yield benefits, especially when paired with effective on-farm management. It should be noted that these cyst-based findings reflect population density change rather than confirmed reproductive fitness since cyst egg content was not assessed. The yield benefits were multiplied two-fold under well-managed practices compared to poor crop management, emphasising the benefits of combining integrated nematode management with optimised agronomy. Furthermore, the simplicity of the banana fibre technology lends itself to smallholder farmer adoption without requiring specialised application tools or high-precision equipment, a common limitation of conventional nematicide treatments. Reducing the amount of pesticide will also significantly reduce the exposure of harmful chemicals on the natural environment and also greenhouse gas emissions from pesticide production.
Future research integrating organic soil amendments, such as compost and biochar with nematicidal strategies, could further enhance soil health and climate resilience. Amendments such as biochar may contribute to soil carbon sequestration and improve climate mitigation outcomes by stabilising soil organic carbon stocks while enhancing crop performance under biotic stress. To enhance practical applicability, we are exploring the reformulation of banana fibre paper into pellets to reduce labour requirements during field application.

Author Contributions

Conceptualization, J.G.A., J.M.H.C. and D.C.; methodology, J.G.A. and C.O.; validation, J.M.H.C. and J.K.; formal analysis, J.G.A. and J.K.; investigation, J.G.A., J.K. and C.O.; data curation, J.K.; writing—original draft preparation, J.G.A.; writing—review and editing, J.G.A., J.M.H.C., J.K., D.O.O., K.S. and D.C.; visualization, J.G.A. and J.K.; supervision, J.M.H.C., D.O.O., K.S., S.H. and D.C.; project administration, D.C.; funding acquisition, D.C. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

Funding

This research was funded by the CGIAR Research Program on Roots, Tubers and Bananas (RTB) as well as CGIAR Science Program on Sustainable Farming Systems through the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA). This work was also supported by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation under grant numbers OPP1118810 and OPP1196989, and by the BioInnovate Africa project DEFENCE under grant number BA/3/2022/02.

Data Availability Statement

The raw data supporting the conclusions of this article will be made available by the authors on request.

Acknowledgments

The authors appreciate the farmers from Nyandarua who proactively participated in the study.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no existing conflict of interest.

Abbreviations

The following abbreviations are used in this manuscript:
EPPOEuropean and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization
MFMultiplication factor
NCSUNorth Carolina State University
PCNPotato cyst nematode
PfFinal nematode population density
PiInitial nematode population density
PPNPlant-parasitic nematode
RFReproductive factor

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Figure 1. Population densities and reproductive factor of nematodes under potato (cv. Shangi) trials in Nyandarua County, Kenya. (A) Initial densities (Pi), (B) final densities (Pf), and (C) reproductive factor (RF). Data are pooled across three cropping seasons. Bars followed by the same letter within each management practice are not significantly different at p ≤ 0.05.
Figure 1. Population densities and reproductive factor of nematodes under potato (cv. Shangi) trials in Nyandarua County, Kenya. (A) Initial densities (Pi), (B) final densities (Pf), and (C) reproductive factor (RF). Data are pooled across three cropping seasons. Bars followed by the same letter within each management practice are not significantly different at p ≤ 0.05.
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Figure 2. Initial and final densities of potato cyst nematode (PCN) cysts and their multiplication factor under potato (cv. Shangi) trials in Nyandarua County, Kenya. Data are pooled across three cropping seasons. Within each management practice, ns indicates where means are not significantly different at p = 0.05; * p ≤ 0.05; ** p ≤ 0.01.
Figure 2. Initial and final densities of potato cyst nematode (PCN) cysts and their multiplication factor under potato (cv. Shangi) trials in Nyandarua County, Kenya. Data are pooled across three cropping seasons. Within each management practice, ns indicates where means are not significantly different at p = 0.05; * p ≤ 0.05; ** p ≤ 0.01.
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Figure 3. Marketable and unmarketable yield of potato (cv. Shangi) as influenced by fluopyram treatment and field management practice in Nyandarua County, Kenya. Data are pooled across three cropping seasons. Error bars represent the standard error of the mean. Bars sharing the same letter are not significantly different (p = 0.05). Lowercase letters denote comparisons of marketable yield, and uppercase letters denote comparisons of total yield (marketable + unmarketable).
Figure 3. Marketable and unmarketable yield of potato (cv. Shangi) as influenced by fluopyram treatment and field management practice in Nyandarua County, Kenya. Data are pooled across three cropping seasons. Error bars represent the standard error of the mean. Bars sharing the same letter are not significantly different (p = 0.05). Lowercase letters denote comparisons of marketable yield, and uppercase letters denote comparisons of total yield (marketable + unmarketable).
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Figure 4. Tuber grade distribution of potato (cv. Shangi) as influenced by fluopyram treatment and field management practice in Nyandarua County, Kenya. Data are pooled across three cropping seasons. Within each field management practice, bars sharing the same letter are not significantly different at p = 0.05. Italicised lowercase letters denote comparisons among small-sized tubers, regular lowercase letters denote comparisons among medium-sized tubers, and uppercase letters denote comparisons among large-sized tubers.
Figure 4. Tuber grade distribution of potato (cv. Shangi) as influenced by fluopyram treatment and field management practice in Nyandarua County, Kenya. Data are pooled across three cropping seasons. Within each field management practice, bars sharing the same letter are not significantly different at p = 0.05. Italicised lowercase letters denote comparisons among small-sized tubers, regular lowercase letters denote comparisons among medium-sized tubers, and uppercase letters denote comparisons among large-sized tubers.
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Table 1. Weather details during the trial period.
Table 1. Weather details during the trial period.
SeasonDescriptionPeriodRainfall (mm) 1Mean Temperature (°C) 2
Season 1Long rainsMar–May 2021578.6717.23
Season 2Intermediate rainsJul–Sep 2021169.8516.11
Season 3Short rainsNov 2021–Jan 2022357.2317.10
1 Seasonal rainfall collected during the study period. 2 Temperature recorded daily and averaged between the lowest and highest temperature.
Table 2. Diversity and density of plant-parasitic nematode genera in potatoes (cv. Shangi) in Nyandarua County, Kenya.
Table 2. Diversity and density of plant-parasitic nematode genera in potatoes (cv. Shangi) in Nyandarua County, Kenya.
Baseline Data (Pi)Endline Data (Pf)
GenusControlFluopyramControlFluopyram
Aphelenchoides11 ± 3.5 c B34 ± 16.6 ab A125 ± 34.7 a A125 ± 35.6 a A
Aphelenchus30 ± 7.4 b A41 ± 13.4 ab A47 ± 10.3 c A41 ± 8.1 b A
Criconema0 ± 0 f B2 ± 1.3 c A10 ± 4.0 e A7 ± 3.3 d A
Filenchus14 ± 5.6 c A15 ± 5.5 b A59 ± 16.7 bc A26 ± 8.6 c B
Globodera J227 ± 11.4 b A22 ± 6.4 b A62 ± 11.4 bc A19 ± 4.9 c B
Helicotylenchus17 ± 4.7 bc B57 ± 25.9 a A71 ± 12.5 b A60 ± 11.8 b A
Hemicycliophora0 ± 0 f0 ± 0 d A0 ± 0 f A1 ± 0.9 e A
Hoplolaimus9 ± 4.7 c A15 ± 6.4 b A11 ± 3.5 e A14 ± 10.5 cd A
Meloidogyne J20 ± 0 f0 ± 0 d A23 ± 5.6 d A18 ± 5.6 c A
Paratrichodorus1 ± 1.2 e B13 ± 4.6 b A1 ± 0.5 f A0 ± 0 f A
Pratylenchus27 ± 12.4 b A29 ± 13.6 ab A9 ± 7.1 e A5 ± 2 d A
Radopholus0 ± 0 f A0 ± 0 d A1 ± 0.6 f A0 ± 0 f A
Rotylenchus3 ± 1.6 d B13 ± 6.1 b A4 ± 2.4 f A6 ± 3 d A
Trichodorus1 ± 0.4 e B11 ± 6.5 b A8 ± 3.7 e A8 ± 3.2 d A
Tylenchorhynchus1 ± 0.9 e A3 ± 1.3 c A5 ± 1.8 f A5 ± 2 d A
Tylenchus55 ± 9.8 a A36 ± 8.1 ab B96 ± 17.3 ab A44 ± 9.3 b B
Xiphinema19 ± 15.3 bc A18 ± 8.9 b A15 ± 5.6 de A8 ± 4.4 d a A
Baseline data = initial population density recorded at the first-season planting; endline data = final population density recorded at the third-season harvest. Mean ± SE represents nematode genera density (count per 100 mL soil) pooled across two management regimes. Means followed by the same lowercase letter(s) along the treatment columns are not statistically different at p ≤ 0.05. Means followed by the same uppercase letter across the treatments for each population are not statistically different at p ≤ 0.05.
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Atandi, J.G.; Choptiany, J.M.H.; Kisaakye, J.; Orage, C.; Omayio, D.O.; Saikai, K.; Haukeland, S.; Coyne, D. From Waste to Wealth: Boosting Productivity in Kenyan Smallholder Farmer Fields with Fluopyram-Treated Banana Fibre. Crops 2026, 6, 83. https://doi.org/10.3390/crops6050083

AMA Style

Atandi JG, Choptiany JMH, Kisaakye J, Orage C, Omayio DO, Saikai K, Haukeland S, Coyne D. From Waste to Wealth: Boosting Productivity in Kenyan Smallholder Farmer Fields with Fluopyram-Treated Banana Fibre. Crops. 2026; 6(5):83. https://doi.org/10.3390/crops6050083

Chicago/Turabian Style

Atandi, Janet G., John M. H. Choptiany, James Kisaakye, Calvince Orage, Dennis O. Omayio, Kanan Saikai, Solveig Haukeland, and Danny Coyne. 2026. "From Waste to Wealth: Boosting Productivity in Kenyan Smallholder Farmer Fields with Fluopyram-Treated Banana Fibre" Crops 6, no. 5: 83. https://doi.org/10.3390/crops6050083

APA Style

Atandi, J. G., Choptiany, J. M. H., Kisaakye, J., Orage, C., Omayio, D. O., Saikai, K., Haukeland, S., & Coyne, D. (2026). From Waste to Wealth: Boosting Productivity in Kenyan Smallholder Farmer Fields with Fluopyram-Treated Banana Fibre. Crops, 6(5), 83. https://doi.org/10.3390/crops6050083

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