Farmers knowledge on bacterial wilt of tomato in Loitoktok and Mwea, Kenya
Abstract
Bacterial wilt (Ralstonia solanacearum) is among the major diseases affecting tomato production. It causes the crop to wilt and completely die reducing the yield per acreage. The objective of this study was to be determine the status of bacterial wilt in Kajiado and Kirinyaga County. Out of 60 farmers identified, a sample of 30 farmers were chosen using a multistage sampling technique. Plant, water and soil samples were picked from their farms for isolation of Ralstonia solanacearum (Rs) bacteria in the plant pathology laboratory at Kenya Agricultural Livestock and Research Organization. Data was analyzed by finding frequencies using excel and SPSS software. Over 90% of the respondents from Kajiado and Kirinyaga counties reported to have experienced bacterial wilt of tomatoes in their fields. The disease was found to be important in Kirinyaga and moderately important in Kajiado counties. Crop rotation and fallowing were the main methods used to manage bacterial wilt. Many soil samples from Kirinyaga County turned positive for bacterial wilt, unlike those from Kajiado County. Farmers from both Kirinyaga and Kajiado counties should therefore be taught the most appropriate, effective and environmentally friendly methods of controlling bacterial wilt of tomatoes in their fields.
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