POTATO PRODUCTION PRACTICES AND LATE BLIGHT MANAGEMENT IN NYANDARUA COUNTY, KENYA
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Published:
Dec 15, 2021
Keywords:
Inoculum, Phytophthora infestans, biological control, pesticides, yield loss, farmer practices
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Abstract
Potato is the second most important crop after maize for food and nutrition security in Kenya. Late blight is a major threat to potato production causing losses of up to 100% if not controlled. Poor production and disease management practices enhance the development and occurrence of potato late blight. A survey was conducted in Nyandarua County to assess potato production and disease management practices on the development and occurrence of late blight. Solvin’s formula was used to determine the sample of 105 farmers. Data on socio-demographic aspects, prevalent potato diseases, management options, and agronomic practices were collected and analyzed using SPSS version 25. Major findings reflected a positive correlation (r = 0.57, n = 105, p = 0.001) between the size of farms owned and the area under potato. Awareness of biological control practices and integrated disease management was 33.3% and 28.6%, respectively. Practices largely influencing disease prevalence included the use of single variety (86.7%) and farm-saved seeds (74.3%), providing a medium for inoculum incubation. Averagely, 48.6% of farmers practice mono-cropping, and 13.3% leave plant debris in the field which enhances inoculum build-up and recurrence. An average of 65.8% use fungicides in a single class, leading to the pathogen developing resistance. It is therefore recommended that potato farmers adhere to good agricultural practices including crop rotation, intercropping, alternation of fungicide classes, use of biological control products, use of clean certified seeds, proper field sanitation, and primarily Integrated Disease Management to minimize the prevalence of late blight and the associated heavy use of chemical pesticides.
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References
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Okpachu, A.S., Okpachu, O.G. & Obijesi, I.K. (2014). The impact of education on agricultural productivity of small scale rural female maize farmers in Potiskum Local Government, Yobe State: a panacea for rural economic development in Nigeria. International Journal of Research in Agriculture and Food Sciences, 2(4), pp.26-33.
Pacilly, F.C., Groot, J.C., Hofstede, G.J., Schaap, B.F. & van Bueren, E.T.L. (2016). Analysing potato late blight control as a social-ecological system using fuzzy cognitive mapping. Agronomy for sustainable development, 36(2), p.35.
Pacilly, F.C., van Bueren, E.T.L., Groot, J.C. & Hofstede, G.J. (2019). Moving perceptions on potato late blight control: workshops with model-based scenarios. Crop Protection, 119, pp.76-87.
Rani, A., Singh, R., Kumar, P., Shukla, G. & Singh, C. (2017). Ecofriendly management of late blight of potato caused by phytophthora infestans (L). International Journal of Pharmacy Research and Technology, 7(1), pp.21-27.
Riungu, C. (2011). No easy walk for potatoes. Horticultural News. The East African Fresh Produce Journal, 19, 16-17.
Schneider, S.J., Da Graca, J.V., Skaria, M., Little, C.R., Setamou, M. & Kunta, M. (2013). A visual rating scale for quantifying the severity of greasy spot disease on grapefruit leaves. International journal of fruit science, 13(4), pp.459-465.
Schreinemachers, P., Grovermann, C., Praneetvatakul, S., Heng, P., Nguyen, T. T. L., Buntong, B., Le, N.T. & Pinn, T. (2020). How much is too much? Quantifying pesticide overuse in vegetable production in Southeast Asia. Journal of Cleaner Production, 244, 118738.
Subianto, E.I. & Hamsal, M. (2013). Service Quality Assessment in PT. Indokemika Jayatama Using INDSERV Scale and Importance-Performance Analysis. Indonesian Journal of Business Administration, 2(5), p.68592.
Taiy, R.J., Onyango, C., Nkurumwa, A. & Ngetich, K. (2017). Socio-economic characteristics of smallholder potato farmers in Mauche Ward of Nakuru County, Kenya. Universal Journal of Agricultural Research, 5(5), pp.257-266.
Thomas-Sharma, S., Abdurahman, A., Ali, S., Andrade-Piedra, J.L., Bao, S., Charkowski, A.O., Crook, D., Kadian, M., Kromann, P., Struik, P.C. & Torrance, L. (2016). Seed degeneration in potato: the need for an integrated seed health strategy to mitigate the problem in developing countries. Plant Pathology, 65(1), pp.3-16.
Wakahiu, M.W., Gildemacher, P.R., Kinyua, Z.M., Kabira, J.N., Kimenju, A.W. & Mutitu, E.W. (2007). Occurrence of potato bacterial wilt caused by Ralstonia solanacearum in Kenya and opportunities for intervention. In 7th Triennial African Potato Association Conference (pp. 267-271). Alexandria, Egypt. 13-18 July 2007. African Potato Association, Kampala, Uganda.
Xie, J., Yu, J., Chen, B., Feng, Z., Li, J., Zhao, C., Lyu, J., Hu, L., Gan, Y. & Siddique, K.H. (2017). Facility cultivation systems “设施农业”: A Chinese model for the planet. In Advances in Agronomy (Vol. 145, pp. 1-42). Academic Press.
Zaker, M. (2016). Natural plant products as eco-friendly fungicides for plant diseases control-A Review. The Agriculturists, 14(1), pp.134-141.
de Vries, S., von Dahlen, J.K., Schnake, A., Ginschel, S., Schulz, B. & Rose, L.E. (2018). Broad-spectrum inhibition of Phytophthora infestans by fungal endophytes. FEMS Microbiology Ecology, 94(4), p.fiy037.
FAO. (2013). A policymakers’ guide to crop diversification: The case of the potato in Kenya. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rome. www.fao.org/publications. Accessed 23 February 2017.
Forbes, G. A., Grünwald, N. J., Mizubuti, E. S. G., Andrade-Piedra, J. L., & Garrett, K. A. (2007). Potato late blight in developing countries. In: Peters, R.(ed.) Current Concepts in Potato Disease Management. Kerala, India: Research Signpost (In press).
Fry, W. E., McGrath, M. T., Seaman, A., Zitter, T. A., McLeod, A., Danies, G., Small, I.M.,
Gaur, P. (2010). Constraints of Potato Seed Production in Developing Countries. Cromme, N. Prakash, AB, Lutaladio, NB and Ezeta, F., Eds., Strengthening Potato Value Chains: Technical and Policy Options for Developing Countries, The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the Common Fund for Commodities, Rome, pp.61-70.
Gianessi, L., & Williams, A. (2011). Fungicide spraying is critical for increasing potato production in Africa. International Pesticide Benefits Case Study No. 48. CropLife Foundation, Washington, DC.
Gitari, H., Gachene, C., Karanja, N. & Schulte-Geldermann, E. (2016). Evaluation of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) nutrient use efficiency under legume intercropping systems. University of Nairobi.
Gitari, H.I., Gachene, C.K., Karanja, N.N., Kamau, S., Nyawade, S., Sharma, K. & Schulte-
Gitari, H.I., Karanja, N.N., Gachene, C.K., Kamau, S., Sharma, K. & Schulte-Geldermann, E. (2018). Nitrogen and phosphorous uptake by potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) and their use efficiency under potato-legume intercropping systems. Field Crops Research, 222, pp.78-84.
Hashmi, I. & Khan, A. D. (2011). Adverse health effects of pesticide exposure in agricultural and industrial workers of developing country. Pesticides—The Impacts of Pesticides Exposure.
Jaetzold, R., Schmidt, H., Hornetz, B. & Shisanya, C. (2007). Farm Management Handbook of Kenya: Volume II: Natural Conditions and Farm Management Information; Part B: Central Kenya; Subpart B1a Southern Rift Valley Province. Verlag nicht ermittelbar.
Jaetzold, R., Schmidt, H., Hornetz, B. & Shisanya, C. (2010). Farm Management Handbook of Kenya. Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit, vol. 2. Brookpak Printing and Supplies, Nairobi, Kenya.
Jackson-Ziems, T. A., Giesler, L. J., Harveson, R. M., Wegulo, S. N., Korus, K., &
Kaguongo, W.P., Gildemacher, P., Demo, P., Wagoire, W., Kinyae, P., Andrade, J., Forbes, G., Fuglie, K. & Thiele, G. (2008). Farmer practices and adoption of improved potato varieties in Kenya and Uganda. Social Sciences working paper, 5(85), pp.67-68.
Lal, M., Sharma, S., Yadav, S. & Kumar, S. (2018). Management of Late Blight of Potato. Potato: From Incas to All Over the World, p.83.
Li, Y., Zhang, C., Yin, Y., Cui, F., Cai, J., Chen, Z., Jin, Y., Robson, M.G., Li, M., Ren, Y. & Huang, X. (2014). Neurological effects of pesticide use among farmers in China. International journal of environmental research and public health, 11(4), 3995-4006.
Machangi J. M., Gathumbi, M., Onchieku, P., Nga'nga, N., Kagundu A., Kibet, S., Muchoki, J. & Dinah, B. (2016). The National Potato Strategy 2016 – 2020. Nairobi: Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries.
Mahmood, I., Imadi, S. R., Shazadi, K., Gul, A., & Hakeem, K. R. (2016). Effects of pesticides on environment. In Plant, soil and microbes (pp. 253-269). Springer, Cham.
Mariita, M.O., Nyangeri, J. & Makatiani, J.K. (2016). Assessing the incidences of late blight disease on Irish potato varieties in Kisii County, Kenya. Annual Research and Review in Biology, pp.1-8.
Mburu, S., Ackello-Ogutu, C. & Mulwa, R. (2014). Analysis of economic efficiency and farm size: a case study of wheat farmers in Nakuru District, Kenya. Economics Research International, 2014.
Mekonen, S. & Tadesse, T. (2018). Effect of Varieties and Fungicides on Potato Late Blight (Phytophthora infestans (Mont.) de Bary) Management. Agrotechnology, 7(182), p.2.
MoALF. (2016). Climate Risk Profile for Nyandarua. Kenya County Climate Risk Profile Series. The Kenya Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries (MoALF), Nairobi, Kenya.
Mumia, B.I., Muthomi, J.W., Narla, R.D., Nyongesa, M.W. & Olubayo, F.M. (2018). Seed Potato Production Practices and Quality of Farm Saved Seed Potato in Kiambu and Nyandarua Counties in Kenya. World Journal of Agricultural Research, 6(1), pp.20-30.
Muthoni, J., Nyamongo, D.N. & Mbiyu, M. (2017). Climatic change, its likely impact on potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) production in Kenya and plausible coping measures. International Journal of Horticulture, 7(14).
Muthoni, J., Shimelis, H. & Melis, R. (2013). Potato production in Kenya: Farming systems and production constraints. Journal of Agricultural Science, 5(5), p.182.
Namanda, S., Olanya, O.M., Adipala, E., Hakiza, J.J., El-Bedewy, R., Baghsari, A.S. & Ewell, P. (2004). Fungicide application and host-resistance for potato late blight management: benefits assessment from on-farm studies in SW Uganda. Crop Protection, 23(11), pp.1075-1083.
NCPK. (2021, March 17th). Business opportunities-Nyandarua County. National Potato council of Kenya. https://npck.org/business-opportunities-2/
Nyamwamu, R.O., Ombati, J.M. & Mwangi, J.G. (2014). Effectiveness of agricultural training centers’ curriculum in promoting adoption of agricultural technologies: evidence from small-scale potato farmers in Nyandarua County, Kenya. International Journal of Agricultural Management and Development (IJAMAD), 4(1047-2016-85514), 133.
Nyandarua CIDP. (2018). The Socio-Economic Transformative Agenda for Nyandarua County. County Integrated Development Plan (CIDP2) 2018-2022. County Government of Nyandarua. Republic of Kenya.
Okello, J.J., Zhou, Y., Kwikiriza, N., Ogutu, S.O., Barker, I., Schulte-Geldermann, E., Atieno, E. & Ahmed, J.T. (2016). Determinants of the use of certified seed potato among smallholder farmers: The case of potato growers in central and eastern Kenya. Agriculture, 6(4), p.55.
Okpachu, A.S., Okpachu, O.G. & Obijesi, I.K. (2014). The impact of education on agricultural productivity of small scale rural female maize farmers in Potiskum Local Government, Yobe State: a panacea for rural economic development in Nigeria. International Journal of Research in Agriculture and Food Sciences, 2(4), pp.26-33.
Pacilly, F.C., Groot, J.C., Hofstede, G.J., Schaap, B.F. & van Bueren, E.T.L. (2016). Analysing potato late blight control as a social-ecological system using fuzzy cognitive mapping. Agronomy for sustainable development, 36(2), p.35.
Pacilly, F.C., van Bueren, E.T.L., Groot, J.C. & Hofstede, G.J. (2019). Moving perceptions on potato late blight control: workshops with model-based scenarios. Crop Protection, 119, pp.76-87.
Rani, A., Singh, R., Kumar, P., Shukla, G. & Singh, C. (2017). Ecofriendly management of late blight of potato caused by phytophthora infestans (L). International Journal of Pharmacy Research and Technology, 7(1), pp.21-27.
Riungu, C. (2011). No easy walk for potatoes. Horticultural News. The East African Fresh Produce Journal, 19, 16-17.
Schneider, S.J., Da Graca, J.V., Skaria, M., Little, C.R., Setamou, M. & Kunta, M. (2013). A visual rating scale for quantifying the severity of greasy spot disease on grapefruit leaves. International journal of fruit science, 13(4), pp.459-465.
Schreinemachers, P., Grovermann, C., Praneetvatakul, S., Heng, P., Nguyen, T. T. L., Buntong, B., Le, N.T. & Pinn, T. (2020). How much is too much? Quantifying pesticide overuse in vegetable production in Southeast Asia. Journal of Cleaner Production, 244, 118738.
Subianto, E.I. & Hamsal, M. (2013). Service Quality Assessment in PT. Indokemika Jayatama Using INDSERV Scale and Importance-Performance Analysis. Indonesian Journal of Business Administration, 2(5), p.68592.
Taiy, R.J., Onyango, C., Nkurumwa, A. & Ngetich, K. (2017). Socio-economic characteristics of smallholder potato farmers in Mauche Ward of Nakuru County, Kenya. Universal Journal of Agricultural Research, 5(5), pp.257-266.
Thomas-Sharma, S., Abdurahman, A., Ali, S., Andrade-Piedra, J.L., Bao, S., Charkowski, A.O., Crook, D., Kadian, M., Kromann, P., Struik, P.C. & Torrance, L. (2016). Seed degeneration in potato: the need for an integrated seed health strategy to mitigate the problem in developing countries. Plant Pathology, 65(1), pp.3-16.
Wakahiu, M.W., Gildemacher, P.R., Kinyua, Z.M., Kabira, J.N., Kimenju, A.W. & Mutitu, E.W. (2007). Occurrence of potato bacterial wilt caused by Ralstonia solanacearum in Kenya and opportunities for intervention. In 7th Triennial African Potato Association Conference (pp. 267-271). Alexandria, Egypt. 13-18 July 2007. African Potato Association, Kampala, Uganda.
Xie, J., Yu, J., Chen, B., Feng, Z., Li, J., Zhao, C., Lyu, J., Hu, L., Gan, Y. & Siddique, K.H. (2017). Facility cultivation systems “设施农业”: A Chinese model for the planet. In Advances in Agronomy (Vol. 145, pp. 1-42). Academic Press.
Zaker, M. (2016). Natural plant products as eco-friendly fungicides for plant diseases control-A Review. The Agriculturists, 14(1), pp.134-141.