Sustainable Potato Production: Global Case Studies, 2012
Late blight and bacterial wilt are two formidable disease constraints on potato and account for s... more Late blight and bacterial wilt are two formidable disease constraints on potato and account for significant losses in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). In this chapter, various management techniques for late blight and bacterial wilt diseases are highlighted with examples drawn from diverse research. The modified disease management approaches include resistant cultivars, reduced fungicide applications, disease monitoring based on field scouting, cultural practices, post-harvest management and farmer training. Deployment of cultivars with resistance genes and quantitative resistance in addition to fungicide use has contributed significantly to sustained late blight management in tropical Africa. Similarly, cultural practices such as date of planting, disease-free tubers, roguing and bio-rational approaches (plant-derived extracts and phosphoric acid) have been used to a lesser degree. Disease monitoring and weather-based predictions in relation to fungicide applications have been utilized in conjunction with host-plant resistance. Similarly, bacterial wilt has been successfully managed through non-chemical means which include crop rotation, sanitation (removal of wilted plants, destruction of crop residues), and minimum post-emergence cultivation of potatoes. Small-scale seed plot technique, non-diseased tubers, soil amendments and less susceptible cultivars have been important components for integrated management of bacterial wilt disease. The holistic approach for control of late blight and bacterial wilt ultimately lead to increased potato production and better economic returns in the diverse potato production region of SSA.
Effective management of crop diseases is a key precondition for sustainable crop production and t... more Effective management of crop diseases is a key precondition for sustainable crop production and to improve food security globally. However, learning approaches that improve smallholder farmers’ knowledge, perceptions, and practices to deal with crop diseases by fostering social and technical innovations are seldom studied. A study was conducted to examine: (1) how a combination of experiential and social learning approaches influences potato farmers’ knowledge, perceptions, and practices in bacterial wilt and its management in Ethiopia and (2) the implications of combining the two approaches for complex crop disease management in smallholder context. Data were derived from face-to-face in-depth interviews, reflective workshops, and participant observations. The findings showed that farmers’ knowledge and perceptions about disease incidence, the pathogen that causes the disease, its spreading mechanisms, host plants, and disease diagnosis were changed. Farmers’ practices in managemen...
Two orange-fleshed sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas L. (Lam.) cultivars, NASPOT 9 O (Namulonge Sweetp... more Two orange-fleshed sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas L. (Lam.) cultivars, NASPOT 9 O (Namulonge Sweetpotato 9 orange-fleshed) and NASPOT 10 O were approved for release by the Ugandan Plant Variety Release Committee in July 2007. The two cultivars were evaluated for five seasons, on-station at Namulonge in seedling, observation, preliminary, and intermediate trials, between 2002 and 2004 to confirm field resistance to sweetpotato virus disease (SPVD). They were further evaluated for three seasons, on-station and on-farm between 2004 and 2006 in replicated, standardized, multi-location yield trials. The root yields of the cultivars fluctuated across agroecologies in both on-station and on-farm trials (5.3-35.4 t•ha), but were above the national average of 4.0 t•ha. The yield of the two cultivars were similar to the local check cultivars in most sites on-station and on-farm. The two cultivars have acceptable storage root shapes when grown in light soils. They also have high average dry matt...
Two orange-fleshed sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas L. (Lam.) cultivars, NASPOT 9 O (Namulonge Sweetp... more Two orange-fleshed sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas L. (Lam.) cultivars, NASPOT 9 O (Namulonge Sweetpotato 9 orange-fleshed) and NASPOT 10 O were approved for release by the Ugandan Plant Variety Release Committee in July 2007. The two cultivars were evaluated for five seasons, on-station at Namulonge in seedling, observation, preliminary, and intermediate trials, between 2002 and 2004 to confirm field resistance to sweetpotato virus disease (SPVD). They were further evaluated for three seasons, on-station and on-farm between 2004 and 2006 in replicated, standardized, multi-location yield trials. The root yields of the cultivars fluctuated across agroecologies in both on-station and on-farm trials (5.3-35.4 t•ha), but were above the national average of 4.0 t•ha. The yield of the two cultivars were similar to the local check cultivars in most sites on-station and on-farm. The two cultivars have acceptable storage root shapes when grown in light soils. They also have high average dry matt...
Field trails were conducted from 2002 to 2004 at Kalengyere Research Station, 2450 m above seal l... more Field trails were conducted from 2002 to 2004 at Kalengyere Research Station, 2450 m above seal level, in southwestern Uganda to determine the effect of continuous potato planting on late blight (LB) epidemic behaviour over a cropping season. The experimental treatments consisted of three potato varieties and either three or four planting dates during the first or second rainy season, respectively per year. Ten potted, LB-infected potato plants were evenly distributed along alleys as infection sources. The date of LB onset per plot was recorded. Disease severity (%) was assessed every 3-10 days until 85-90 days after planting. No artificial disease control was used. Data revealed that the days from planting to disease onset was influenced more by the planting date than by potato variety. Disease appeared earlier during the first (Feb.-June) than the second (Sept.Dec.) season. The days from planting to disease onset was significantly (P<0.05) related to accumulated hours with RH≤9...
Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is an increasingly important crop for food and nutrition security i... more Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is an increasingly important crop for food and nutrition security in Ethiopia. It is also a vital source of income and more than 3.7 million smallholder farmers are involved in potato production in the country. However, bacterial wilt is currently causing an overwhelming impact on the country’s potato production systems, threatening food and nutrition security initiatives. A survey of 261 randomly selected smallholder farmers was carried out in three major potato growing districts in the central highlands of Ethiopia to examine farmers’ knowledge and management practices of bacterial wilt, and to analyse the role of relevant knowledge in their practices. Considering their different characteristics, three groups of farmers were distinguished: producers of quality declared seed, producers of normal seed and producers of ware potatoes. The results of the study indicated that most farmers (72%) could recognise symptoms of the disease on infected potato plan...
Page 1. DEVELOPING CAPACITY FOR AGRICULTURAL MARKET CHAIN INNOVATION: EXPERIENCE WITH THE &am... more Page 1. DEVELOPING CAPACITY FOR AGRICULTURAL MARKET CHAIN INNOVATION: EXPERIENCE WITH THE &amp;amp;amp;#x27;PMCA&amp;amp;amp;#x27; IN UGANDA DOUGLAS HORTON1*, BEATRICE AKELLO2, LUCY ALIGUMA3, THOMAS BERNET4 ...
Sustainable Potato Production: Global Case Studies, 2012
Late blight and bacterial wilt are two formidable disease constraints on potato and account for s... more Late blight and bacterial wilt are two formidable disease constraints on potato and account for significant losses in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). In this chapter, various management techniques for late blight and bacterial wilt diseases are highlighted with examples drawn from diverse research. The modified disease management approaches include resistant cultivars, reduced fungicide applications, disease monitoring based on field scouting, cultural practices, post-harvest management and farmer training. Deployment of cultivars with resistance genes and quantitative resistance in addition to fungicide use has contributed significantly to sustained late blight management in tropical Africa. Similarly, cultural practices such as date of planting, disease-free tubers, roguing and bio-rational approaches (plant-derived extracts and phosphoric acid) have been used to a lesser degree. Disease monitoring and weather-based predictions in relation to fungicide applications have been utilized in conjunction with host-plant resistance. Similarly, bacterial wilt has been successfully managed through non-chemical means which include crop rotation, sanitation (removal of wilted plants, destruction of crop residues), and minimum post-emergence cultivation of potatoes. Small-scale seed plot technique, non-diseased tubers, soil amendments and less susceptible cultivars have been important components for integrated management of bacterial wilt disease. The holistic approach for control of late blight and bacterial wilt ultimately lead to increased potato production and better economic returns in the diverse potato production region of SSA.
Effective management of crop diseases is a key precondition for sustainable crop production and t... more Effective management of crop diseases is a key precondition for sustainable crop production and to improve food security globally. However, learning approaches that improve smallholder farmers’ knowledge, perceptions, and practices to deal with crop diseases by fostering social and technical innovations are seldom studied. A study was conducted to examine: (1) how a combination of experiential and social learning approaches influences potato farmers’ knowledge, perceptions, and practices in bacterial wilt and its management in Ethiopia and (2) the implications of combining the two approaches for complex crop disease management in smallholder context. Data were derived from face-to-face in-depth interviews, reflective workshops, and participant observations. The findings showed that farmers’ knowledge and perceptions about disease incidence, the pathogen that causes the disease, its spreading mechanisms, host plants, and disease diagnosis were changed. Farmers’ practices in managemen...
Two orange-fleshed sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas L. (Lam.) cultivars, NASPOT 9 O (Namulonge Sweetp... more Two orange-fleshed sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas L. (Lam.) cultivars, NASPOT 9 O (Namulonge Sweetpotato 9 orange-fleshed) and NASPOT 10 O were approved for release by the Ugandan Plant Variety Release Committee in July 2007. The two cultivars were evaluated for five seasons, on-station at Namulonge in seedling, observation, preliminary, and intermediate trials, between 2002 and 2004 to confirm field resistance to sweetpotato virus disease (SPVD). They were further evaluated for three seasons, on-station and on-farm between 2004 and 2006 in replicated, standardized, multi-location yield trials. The root yields of the cultivars fluctuated across agroecologies in both on-station and on-farm trials (5.3-35.4 t•ha), but were above the national average of 4.0 t•ha. The yield of the two cultivars were similar to the local check cultivars in most sites on-station and on-farm. The two cultivars have acceptable storage root shapes when grown in light soils. They also have high average dry matt...
Two orange-fleshed sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas L. (Lam.) cultivars, NASPOT 9 O (Namulonge Sweetp... more Two orange-fleshed sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas L. (Lam.) cultivars, NASPOT 9 O (Namulonge Sweetpotato 9 orange-fleshed) and NASPOT 10 O were approved for release by the Ugandan Plant Variety Release Committee in July 2007. The two cultivars were evaluated for five seasons, on-station at Namulonge in seedling, observation, preliminary, and intermediate trials, between 2002 and 2004 to confirm field resistance to sweetpotato virus disease (SPVD). They were further evaluated for three seasons, on-station and on-farm between 2004 and 2006 in replicated, standardized, multi-location yield trials. The root yields of the cultivars fluctuated across agroecologies in both on-station and on-farm trials (5.3-35.4 t•ha), but were above the national average of 4.0 t•ha. The yield of the two cultivars were similar to the local check cultivars in most sites on-station and on-farm. The two cultivars have acceptable storage root shapes when grown in light soils. They also have high average dry matt...
Field trails were conducted from 2002 to 2004 at Kalengyere Research Station, 2450 m above seal l... more Field trails were conducted from 2002 to 2004 at Kalengyere Research Station, 2450 m above seal level, in southwestern Uganda to determine the effect of continuous potato planting on late blight (LB) epidemic behaviour over a cropping season. The experimental treatments consisted of three potato varieties and either three or four planting dates during the first or second rainy season, respectively per year. Ten potted, LB-infected potato plants were evenly distributed along alleys as infection sources. The date of LB onset per plot was recorded. Disease severity (%) was assessed every 3-10 days until 85-90 days after planting. No artificial disease control was used. Data revealed that the days from planting to disease onset was influenced more by the planting date than by potato variety. Disease appeared earlier during the first (Feb.-June) than the second (Sept.Dec.) season. The days from planting to disease onset was significantly (P<0.05) related to accumulated hours with RH≤9...
Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is an increasingly important crop for food and nutrition security i... more Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is an increasingly important crop for food and nutrition security in Ethiopia. It is also a vital source of income and more than 3.7 million smallholder farmers are involved in potato production in the country. However, bacterial wilt is currently causing an overwhelming impact on the country’s potato production systems, threatening food and nutrition security initiatives. A survey of 261 randomly selected smallholder farmers was carried out in three major potato growing districts in the central highlands of Ethiopia to examine farmers’ knowledge and management practices of bacterial wilt, and to analyse the role of relevant knowledge in their practices. Considering their different characteristics, three groups of farmers were distinguished: producers of quality declared seed, producers of normal seed and producers of ware potatoes. The results of the study indicated that most farmers (72%) could recognise symptoms of the disease on infected potato plan...
Page 1. DEVELOPING CAPACITY FOR AGRICULTURAL MARKET CHAIN INNOVATION: EXPERIENCE WITH THE &am... more Page 1. DEVELOPING CAPACITY FOR AGRICULTURAL MARKET CHAIN INNOVATION: EXPERIENCE WITH THE &amp;amp;amp;#x27;PMCA&amp;amp;amp;#x27; IN UGANDA DOUGLAS HORTON1*, BEATRICE AKELLO2, LUCY ALIGUMA3, THOMAS BERNET4 ...
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