OCCURRENCE, DISTRIBUTION AND FARMERS’ KNOWLEDGE ON THE MANAGEMENT OF Fusarium WILT OF OIL PALM AMONG SMALLHOLDERS IN KALANGALA, UGANDA

Abstract

Fusarium wilt of oil palm is caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. elaeidis and is particularly prevalent in Africa. This study was conducted in Kalangala district, the commercial oil palm cradleland in Uganda and it involved undertaking a survey among smallholder farmers to assess the occurrence, distribution, farmers' knowledge and management level of Fusarium wilt of oil palm. This was achieved by taking an inventory of all the plants in a given plot, noting the presence or absence of symptoms of Fusarium wilt and calculating the incidence in each given plot. This is the first time Fusarium is identified in oil palm plantations in Uganda and the results showed that infected trees were mainly found in Mugoye sub-county, Kagulube block. The highest average severity (3) was observed in Kagulube as compared to all other blocks (severity score 2). The highest percentage incidence (15%) was noted in Kagulube and the least (5%) in Bbeta East, Bbeta West and Bujjumba blocks. Despite the widespread occurrence of Fusarium wilt in Kalangala, management of the disease among farmers was inadequate. Urgent measures need to be undertaken to prevent spread of Fusarium wilt within and among farmers' fields.

Challenges and Opportunities of Oil Palm Production in Uganda

“…However, management of the weevil has been complicated by the fact that oil palm weevil larvae are a delicacy in some parts of the country like the Kalangala islands where some people rear them for consumption and sale. Diseases: Fusarium wilt of oil palm (Figure 1) and Ganoderma trunk rot (Figure 2) are the major diseases affecting oil palm production in Uganda [15]. In other oil palm growing areas in the world, Fusarium wilt of oil palm and Ganoderma trunk rot often occur from the second phase of planting or following replacement of coconut plantations [14] as opposed to Uganda where they have been identified in the first plantings in less than two decades.…”

“…In Uganda, several diseases and pests have been reported. Fusarium wilt of oil palm and Basal stem rot [15] are the major challenges facing oil palm in Uganda. These diseases have posed a threat to the oil palm commercial production currently at its infant stage.…”

“…These challenges have been majorly unabated by the low knowledge base on the novel crop and the use of oil palm varieties from Asia, which are poorly adapted to local conditions in the first round of plantings in Kalangala. For example, globally, Fusarium wilt of oil palm and Ganoderma trunk rot are expected to appear from second set plantings where they have been reported [14] as opposed to the outbreak of the two diseases in less than 12 years of the first plantings in Uganda [15].…”

Detection and spread of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. elaeidis among small holder farmers in Kalangala district, Uganda

“…In Uganda, wilting symptoms typical of Fusarium wilt of oil palm were reported in Kalangala, rst in the commercial oil palm elds owned by Oil Palm Uganda Limited (OPUL) followed by similar symptoms being seen on small scale farmers plots (4). Within a year of rst formal reports, follow up surveillances revealed rapid rise in number of trees affected with up to 10% of palms affected in some study elds.…”