Farmers Knowledge of Anthracnose Disease of Cassava and Yam in Four Ecological Zones in Ghana

Abstract

During surveys on anthracnose disease of cassava and yam, farmers were interviewed through questionnaire to seek their knowledge of the disease in four ecological zones in Ghana (Forest, Transition, Guinea Savannah and Coastal Savannah). Results analysed indicated that over 61% of the yam farmers and 79% of cassava farmers have good knowledge of anthracnose diseases. The farmers were aware that the disease occur on the leaves and stems of cassava and also on the leaves and vines of yam. More than 50% of the farmers said that wet seasons are the period where the disease spread most. In all the ecological zones, more than 55% of the farmers indicated that the disease has negative effect on their produce yet more than 60% of the farmers did not have any idea as to the causes of the disease and do not undertake any control method to manage the disease. The work has revealed that farmers may know about diseases due to long periods of farming, their knowledge on the causes and control of cassava and yam anthracnose disease is inadequate and therefore need more education.

Farmers’ knowledge, attitudes and practices towards management of cassava pests and diseases in forest transition and Guinea savannah agro-ecological zones of Ghana

“…For instance, whiteflies cause cassava mosaic disease and grasshoppers are known to carry the pathogen that causes cassava bacterial blight ( Fanou et al ., 2017 ). Farmers’ knowledge on diseases was found to be limited, which is consistent with a study by Echodu et al (2019) but contrasts that of Appiah-Kubi et al (2015) . Some farmers, though they noticed changes in the plant tissues, were unable to associate them with specific diseases.…”

“…Studies have recommended integrated management measures such as cropping systems (intercropping with non-host plants), cultivation of improved resistant varieties, cultural practices (removal and destroying infested plants, crop rotation, fallowing, proper weed management), management of planting dates based on agro-ecology, and soil amendments, which usually results in high yields ( Afrane Okese, 2016 ; Alam et al ., 2016 ; Dormon et al ., 2007 ; Mathieu-Colas et al ., 2009 ; and Fanou et al ., 2017 ). Intercropping has been observed as a common practice among farmers ( Appiah-Kubi et al ., 2015 ; Torkpo et al ., 2017 ). Farmers applied this only as a diversification strategy to reduce production risk and were unaware of its disease management capacity.…”

“…Cassava intercropping is done with short duration food crops like cereals and legumes, which offers a lot of advantages. Roots and tubers like yam and cocoyam are also intercropped with cassava ( Appiah-Kubi et al ., 2015 ; Torkpo et al ., 2017 ). With cassava being a heavy feeder ( Mathieu-Colas et al ., 2009 and Biratu et al ., 2019 ), intercropping with leguminous crops improves soil properties as crop residue serves as mulch.…”

“…The cassava serves as stakes for the yam, while farmers believe that the cassava bulks well in the yam mounds. Intercropping, on the other hand, could have negative effects on disease spread if done with alternative host plants of certain diseases ( Appiah-Kubi et al ., 2015 ). For instance, yam could host fungus that causes cassava anthracnose ( Afrane Okese, 2016 ).…”

Identification of QTLs Controlling Resistance to Anthracnose Disease in Water Yam (Dioscorea alata)

“…Severe infections result in defoliation, leaving naked, black, and drying vines [10]. Yield losses from the disease of up to 90% have been reported under severe conditions on different cultivars of water yam in Africa [10][11][12]. High genetic and pathogenic variances have been reported among isolates of C. gloeosporioides from different geographical locations [7,13,14], suggesting a high probability of the geographic variation in strains, some of which could be overcome existing resistance [15].…”