Browsing by Author "Fina, Opio et.al"

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Distribution,Incidence and farmer knowledge of Banana Xanthomonas wilt in Rwanda
(Association for Strengthening Agricultural Research in Eastern and Central Africa (ASARECA),, 2013) Fina, Opio et.al
Banana Xanthomonas wilt was reported in Rwanda in 2005. The present study was conducted to determine the distribution and incidence of the disease and farmer knowledge of disease symptoms, modes of spread and control. A survey was conducted in Rwanda in 2009–2010 in 12 major banana-growing districts of the country. One hundred and eight banana growers were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. Farmers were asked about knowledge of disease symptoms, spread, control and use of control methods. They were also asked about their sources of information on Xanthomonas wilt. Direct field observations were made of the distribu tion and incidence of the disease as well. The proportion of fields with Xanthomonas wilt was highest in Rutsiro (89%) and lowest in Kayonza and Ruhango (11%). The disease was not found in Gakenke, Kicukiro or Ngoma. Within-farm incidence was highest in Rutsiro (average 36%) and lowest in Kayonza (1%). The awareness of disease symptoms ranged from 53% (discoloured fruit pulp) to 84% (wilting leaves). For modes of spread, the highest proportion of farmers (73%) was aware of the role of contaminated tools while the least known mode was spread via soil and water (24%). Some 72% of famers were aware of uprooting plants as a control measure. There were large differences between awareness and use of tool disinfection and destruction of infected plants as control measures. There is a need to develop user-friendly methods of disease control. The creation of aware ness in newly affected and Xanthomonas wilt-free areas is advocated. Participatory approaches are encouraged as they may reduce the gap between knowledge and adoption of control measures
Risk of banana Xanthomonas wilt spread through trade
(JCP, 2013-09-12) Fina, Opio et.al
Banana Xanthomonas wilt is a systemic disease of banana plants. We investigated the risk of spreading Xanthomonas campestris pv. musacearum (Xcm) through asymptomatic mature bunches. Samples of banana fingers and rachis from markets within Kampala, Uganda and at border points of Uganda with DR Congo, Tanzania, Rwanda and Kenya were tested for the presence of Xcm through recovery of the bacterium onto semi-selective media. Fingers and rachis infected with Xcm were sampled weekly to determine survival duration in such materials. Characteristic colonies of Xcm were observed in 89 bunches. Within Kampala, various levels of Xcm were detected in the local markets at 21% from Kalerwe, 50% in Nakawa and Nakasera and 53% from Kasubi. At international borders, Xcm was detected at 17% in Malaba, 32% at Mutukula, 33% in Busia, 42% at Katuna/Kamwezi, 44% Mpondwe and 62% Mpanga. About 13% of the inoculated plants exhibited symptoms typical of Xcm infection. Xcm survived for up to six months, with colony counts of 25.3 cfu/gm, 23.1cfu/gm and 20.0 cfu/gm in the peel, pulp and rachis, respectively. This study demonstrated that Xcm is carried in traded banana materials over long distances and across borders. The pathogen can survive in the peel and rachis from markets up to 6 months and therefore these organs may act as sources of inocula for new infections. Consquently, there is need to improve on phytosanitary issues to manage spread of Xcm and spread of contamination to new areas.
Why Sustainable Management of Xanthomonas Wilt of Banana in East and Central Africa Has Been Elusive
(Research gate, 2013-04) Fina, Opio et.al
Banana is an important food and cash crop and constitutes a large proportion of the total crop production in East and Central African (ECA) countries. Banana production has been threatened by Xanthomonas wilt (BXW) disease caused by the bacterium Xanthomonas campestris pv. musacearum. Besides being a threat to food security in the region, the disease has severe economic implications, which emanate from yield losses and management costs. Without proper management, yields in affected areas are reduced to zero. Management approaches of the disease include use of cultural practices and awareness creation among the stakeholders along the banana value chain. These efforts to control the disease produced partial results, and the disease has continued to encroach into previously disease-free areas and to resurge in areas where it had been controlled. One of the major challenges to sustainable management of the disease has been poor understanding by stakeholders of the factors influencing disease spread and severity. Awareness creation among stakeholders has not been sustained due to limited technical, financial and infrastructural capacity. Incorrect application of cultural practices and lack of appropriate methods for field disinfection of tools coupled with weak institutional frameworks for enforcing byelaws and quarantine measures are key drivers to the continued presence of the disease in ECA. It should however be emphasized that no single management option is adequate to sustainably manage the disease. In this paper, we review mechanisms of disease transmission and drivers of the continued disease presence, and suggest approaches for sustainable management of BXW.