Item Details

Title: Strategies for rehabilitation of banana fields infested with
Xanthomonas campestris pv. musacrearum

Date Published: 2014
Author/s: Kubiriba Jerome, Muthomi James, Ndungo Vigheri, Kwach Johnson, Erima Rockefeller,
Rwomushana Ivan, Tushemereirwe Wilberforce and Opio Fina
Data publication:
Funding Agency : Association for Strengthening Agricultural Research in Eastern and Central Africa (ASARECA)
Copyright/patents/trade marks: Journal of Crop Protection
Journal Publisher: Journal of Crop Protection
Affiliation: 1. National Agricultural Laboratories Research Institute, P. O. Box: 7084, Kampala, Uganda.
2. University of Nairobi, P. O. Box: 30197, Nairobi, Kenya.
3. Catholic University of Graben, Beni, Butembo, DR Congo.
4. Kenya Agricultural Research Institute, P. O. Box: 57811-00100, Nairobi, Kenya.
5. Association for strengthening Agricultural Research in East and Central Africa, P. O. Box: 765, Entebbe, Uganda.
Keywords: BXW disease incidence and prevalence, control options, yield and
sales recovery

Abstract:

Xanthomonas campestris pv.musacrearum causes Banana wilt
disease (BXW disease) which occurs at different epidemic phases in East and
Central Africa (ECA). In the endemic areas, there are many banana fields with
over 80% BXW disease incidence. This study aimed at rehabilitating banana
fields heavily infected with BXW disease in Uganda, Kenya and DR. Congo.
Farmer managed trials were established in BXW disease hotspots in western
Kenya and DR. Congo, while in Uganda, similar trials were established at
community level i.e. clusters of at least 200 heavily infected banana fields. The
control options evaluated included single stem removal, suspension of pruning in
affected fields, male bud removal and disinfection of tools with fire or Sodium
hypochlorite. Data was collected on the proportion of affected fields (BXW
disease prevalence), BXW disease incidence and the number of banana bunches
sold at 3-month intervals. BXW disease incidence was reduced by over 80% in
11 months in Kenya and DR. Congo, resulting in yield recovery by up to 70%
within one year. In Uganda, the proportion of farmers that effectively controlled
BXW disease increased 5% to 60% within a year in some hotspots.
Consequently banana sales recovered up to 30% in some hotspots. This study
demonstrates that it is possible to effectively control BXW disease within 12 months in previously severely infected fields in various areas of ECA