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| Authors: | E.T. Acquah, A. Nnoung, A. Mbassa, J.C. Mboua |
Abstract:
Macabo (Xanthosoma sagittifolium L. Schott) production in Cameroon has been constrained during the past 2 decades by the root rot disease.
The symptoms of this disease are confusing.
A survey was conducted among 600 farmers in 14 localities in Fako Division of Cameroon to assess the extent of the constraints related to the production of root and tuber crops.
Out of a total of 404 root and tuber crop farmers interviewed, 70% indicated having knowledge and experienced the disease.
This disease is commonly recognized by farmers by the yellowing of leaves, poor tuberization, and root damage.
Although the presence of the disease was traced back to the late 1930s, it was first noticed by farmers in Fako Division in 1959. The occurrence of the disease drastically increased between 1976 and 1990. Estimates of root rot incidence showed that most of the farmers who noticed the disease on their farms experienced 5-40% crop losses during the 1989/90 cropping season.
Only 4% of the farmers complained of very high severity with a mean yield loss of 87.5%. All this accounted for 36% of the total macabo losses in Fako Division.
Release of a resistant variety of macabo by the Root and Tuber Research Project (ROTREP) and its adoption by farmers in Fako Division should alleviate farmers' problems.
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