Assessing the Incidences of Late Blight Disease on Irish Potato Varieties in Kisii County, Kenya
Journal Title: Annual Research & Review in Biology - Year 2016, Vol 9, Issue 6
Abstract
Background: Late Blight Disease, caused by the fungal pathogen, Phytophthora infestans, is a major constraint of Irish potato production in Kenya. The disease can destroy a crop, causing up to 100% yield loss. Small scale holder farmers in Kisii County continuously grow Irish potato that is susceptible to P. infestans which require a number of fungicides sprays. The study was formulated out of the realization that Irish potato plays a major role in food security and contributes to poverty alleviation. Also, the commonly used protectant fungicides for the crop are expensive, hazardous and are not effective against Phytophthora infestans. Aim: To assess the incidences of late blight disease on Irish potato varieties in Kisii County, Kenya. Study Design: The Irish potato farms were selected randomly following a line transect. Twenty nine stops at every ten kilometres were made, three potato farms around every stop were inspected for the presence of late blight infected Irish potato varieties. A total of eighty seven farms were inspected for the presence of late blight. Five late blight infected leaves from each farm were collected for examination in the laboratory. Methodology: A random sampling method was used to collect late blight infected Irish potato plants from various farms along the transect routes. P. infestans were isolated, cultured on a potato dextrose agar and identified by microscopic techniques at National Agricultural Research Laboratories and Kenya Agricultural research and Livestock Organisation Kisii. An inoculum prepared was standardized to 1x107 sporangia/ml concentration using haemocytometer. Pathogenicity test was done on health Irish potato plants to confirm the pathogenicity nature of the Phytophthora infestans. The data collected was subjected to analysis of variance using GENSTAT directive version 12.0 and chi-square. Place and Duration of the Study: Sampling was carried out in the month of April, May and June 2015 during the long rain season in Kisii County, Kenya. Results: Late blight disease was found to be rampant in all the 87 farms inspected in the County. Late blight effect differed significantly at P<.001 among the Irish potato varieties assessed. There was no significant different among the farms inspected and this indicated that all farms visited were infected with late blight the same way. Along the transect routes six Irish potato varieties were identified notably Mang’ere (55.6%), Nyayo (17.2%), Tigoni (3.4%), Asante (3.4%), Shangi (10.3%) and Purple gold (10.3%). Conclusion: Late blight disease remains a serious threat to Irish potato production causing significant yield and economic losses to farmers. The diversity of Phytophthora infestans in the region calls for the most sustainable approach for reducing late blight problem significantly and this would enable the farmers to get good yields from their Irish potato crop.
Authors and Affiliations
Micah Ongoro Mariita, Johnson Nyangeri, Jacqueline Kubochi Makatiani
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP350954
- DOI 10.9734/ARRB/2016/23617
- Views 99
- Downloads 0
Root Cell Proliferation from Broccoli Root Tips in vitro Culture Using Indole Acetic Acid (IAA), Indole Butyric Acid (IBA) and Benzylaminopurine (BAP)
Significance of the Study: Cell or tissue culture from root tips, shoot tips and leaf cuttings plays a significant role in micro-propagation in the plant production industry. Nowadays, it has been successfully done from...
Effects of Boron Applications on the Physiology and Yield of Lettuce
Aim: The present study was conducted to determine the effects of boron applications on vegetative development, antioxidant activity and mineral composition of lettuce. Study Design: In the greenhouse, treatments arrange...
Determination of Different Hormones Dose for Breeding of Green Back Mullet, Chelon subviridis
The study was conducted in the hatchery complex of Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute, Brackishwater Station, Paikgacha, Khulna, Bangladesh. The body weights of collected male fishes were ranged from 42-50 g and tha...
African Polyherbal Formulation Possesses Chemopreventive and Chemotherapeutic Effects on Benzene- Induced Leukemia in Wistar Rats
Background: Chemotherapy and radiotherapy are effective cancer treatment options but they are accompanied by serious side effects and complications such as systemic cytotoxicity, chemo- or radio-resistance. Therefore, mo...
Isolation of Parasites from Black Tiger Prawn; Peneaus monodon from Isaka River, Okirika Local Government Area, Rivers State, Nigeria
Aims: To determine the parasitic fauna, site-specificity of the parasites in the host and the parasite load in relation to length, weight and sex of P. mondon. Study Design: The study is a survey using prawns from Isaka...