Assessment of bacterial wilt (Xanthomonas campestris pv. musacearum) of enset in Southern Ethiopia

Abstract

Enset (Ensete ventricosum) production and productivity is threatened by many biotic and abiotic factors among which bacterial wilt of enset (BWE), caused by Xanthomonas campestris pv. musacearum is one of the major factors. There were no reports on the intensity and distribution of bacterial wilt of enset in South Nation Nationalities and Peoples' Regional State (SNNPRS). Hence, the objective of this study was to determine the distribution and incidence of bacterial wilt of enset in relation to age, altitude and clonal variation in major enset growing districts of South Nation Nationalities and Peoples' Regional State (SNNPRS). Three major enset growing Zones namely Gurage, Hadiya and Sidama were included in the survey. In each Zone, three Districts were selected based on enset production status and altitudinal variation. The disease was detected in all agro ecologies and districts, but in varying extent. Bacterial wilt prevalence and incidence was highest in Hadiya and estimated at 42.22 and 5.56%, respectively, while both disease prevalence and incidence were the lowest (26.67 and 2.86%, respectively) in Sidama. At District level wilt prevalence varied from 6.67% at Aletachiko District to 76.67% at Lemo District. Bacterial wilt incidence also ranged from 0.74% at Aletachiko District to 10.31% at Lemo District. Wilt prevalence and incidence were at the highest (50% and 5.81%, respectively) in the altitude range of 2000-2500 masl. The disease varied according to the crop growth stage, with severe (4.75%) in Cycle 4 (an age greater than 4) and less severe (0.2%) at Cycle 1 (age of less than one year). Highest disease incidence and prevalence (30 and 6.65%) were noted with a plant age of 4-5 years. The disease was highly associated with administrative Zone, District, altitude, number of clones and spacing in a logistic regression model.

The soil fertility and leaf nutrient status in enset gardens in different altitude zones of the Gamo highlands, Ethiopia and inferences for Xanthomonas wilt prevalence

“…In our study area, lower lying areas had a significantly higher prevalence of affected gardens, which is in line with results reported by Wolde et al (2016) and Zerfu et al (2018) disease progression in the warmer climate at lower elevation (Berhanu et al, 2013;Cartledge, 1999). On the contrary, Ocimati et al (2019) did not find a significant effect of altitude and temperature on Xanthomonas wilt spread in banana farms.…”

“…musacearum (Xcm) is wreaking havoc in enset dependent farming communities since its first outbreak in Ethiopia (Garedew and Ayiza, 2018;Yemataw et al, 2017;Yirgou and Bradbury, 1968). It can cause yield losses of up to 100% (Yemataw et al, 2016) and all cultivated varieties are susceptible (Merga et al, 2019), although some variation in level of susceptibility/tolerance has been reported (Welde-Michael et al, 2008a;Wolde et al, 2016). Control methods available to farmers are limited to basic phytosanitary practices involving the removal of the diseased plants, disinfection of farm tools, and use of clean planting materials (Tadesse et al, 2003;Welde-Michael et al, 2008b).…”

“…So far they have had little effect in curbing the disease. Disease-free plantlets are to date not available to farmers (Negash et al, 2000;Welde-Michael et al, 2008a;Wolde et al, 2016). Hence, alternative disease control strategies need to be explored, based on a better understanding of the relation between disease prevalence, soil fertility management and environmental factors (Francl, 2001;Keane and Kerr, 1997).…”

Community Mobilization and Awareness Creation for the Management of Enset <i>Xanthomonas</i> Wilt (EXW): The Case of Gerino Enset Tekil Kebele Administration, Gurage Zone, Southern Ethiopia

“…Most farmers in both districts consider EXW is a constraint to enset production but it is a more serious production constraint in Hadiya. [19] reported that, EXW was the most important constraint in Hadiya, and Gurage, zones. [20] also confirmed the importance of EXW in West Shewa zone.…”

Application of Genetic Engineering for Control of Bacterial Wilt Disease of Enset, Ethiopia’s Sustainability Crop

“…Bacterial wilt disease is characterized by wilting of young central leaf and gradual wilting of the whole plant (Tripathi et al., 2009) (Figure 1). Freshly cut cross sections of infected nondry pseudostems and leaf petioles release yellow bacterial ooze as a sign of bacterial wilt infection (Wolde et al., 2016) (Figure 1). These bacterial wilt disease symptoms and signs are useful to identify the disease at the farm level.…”