Fusarium Wilt of Banana in Kisii County, Kenya

Abstract

Banana categorized as third in world’s key starch crops after cassava and sweet potatoes and it is the fourth most widely grown crop after rice, wheat and maize. The crop accounts for over 70 % of farmer’s earnings in Kisii county of Kenya. Farmers growing the crop are facing several challenges including depletion of soil fertility, low yields and diseases especially Fusarium wilt caused by Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. cubense (Foc). A study was conducted to determine the status of this disease in Kisii County. Ten farms were sampled in each Agro-ecological zone and in each farm four symptomatic and four non-symptomatic mats were sampled. Incidence was determined by relating banana seedlings affected and the total number of banana seedlings planted while severity was determined by measuring the extent of the damage/brown discoloration of the stem in length. Banana roots and pseudostem cuttings that were infected with the disease were used for isolation of the pathogen. Fusarium wilt is common in banana producing regions of Kisii County, however, the management practices are poor and do not meet the required strategies for controlling the disease. It was established that only; wood-ash and poultry manure were used by a few farmers in managing this disease. Present report is an attempt to improve the understanding of distribution and diversity of Foc in banana producing regions of Kisii County thereby aiding formulation of appropriate mitigation measures which the farmers can adopt locally.