ISHS Acta Horticulturae 828: International Symposium on Recent Advances in Banana Crop Protection for Sustainable Production and Improved Livelihoods
PARTICIPATORY MONITORING AND EVALUATION OF MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES TO CONTROL XANTHOMONAS WILT OF BANANA IN EAST AND CENTRAL AFRICA |
| Authors: | E. Karamura, F. Turyagyenda, W. Tinzaara, J. Muhangi, G. Blomme, F. Maina-Mwangi |
| Keywords: | Xanthomonas wilt, capacity building, disease incidence, disease control |
| Abstract:
Xanthomonas wilt, caused by Xanthomonas campestris pv. musacearum, is seriously affecting banana production in commercial and small-scale farms in East and Central Africa. A regional strategy to control the disease has been developed and an implementation project initiated. A key component is a surveillance system that ensures that immediate action is taken to eradicate new outbreaks. It is important that the disease is eliminated from farms before re-introducing the crop through the dissemination of Xanthomonas wilt-free propagating material of preferred cultivars. In the medium to long term, successful management tactics are to be integrated into national and regional integrated pest and disease management programmes and strategies. The implementation of agreed activities by participating countries is to be monitored. The majority of participants in the project have been drawn from extension and research services, but local council staff have been selected in some countries. All have undergone training. The competencies of farmers to deploy the knowledge learnt into effective control of the disease are being determined. For each country, four farms at two Xanthomonas wilt-affected locations were selected for an appraisal of control measures employed by the farmers and current disease levels. Results indicate that the regional strategy has been variably implemented, with differing success across the region. Details of the strategies that worked and the ones that did not are reported in an attempt to explain the successes and failures. | |
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