Incidence and Severity of Common Bacterial Blight and Anthracnose Diseases of Common Bean in Northern Zambia: A Survey of Smallholder Farmers’ Fields
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Abstract
Common bacterial blight (CBB) and anthracnose (ANTH) are major diseases of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) in Zambia. Both diseases are seedborne, and the use of infected farm-saved seed contributes to their transmission. Despite the socio-economic impact of CBB and ANTH, there is a lack of knowledge on their incidence and severity in northern Zambia, a region that accounts for 65% of total common bean production in the country. Also, there is a lack of knowledge on the use of certified seed vs. uncertified seed in this region. The objectives of this study were to determine: (i) the incidence and severity of CBB and ANTH in farmers’ fields of Northern Zambia, and (ii) the extent of use of certified seed compared to farm-saved uncertified seed. A total of 60 farmers’ fields were surveyed across 10 districts of northern Zambia for incidence and severity of CBB and ANTH. Both CBB and ANTH were observed in all the fields surveyed. However, CBB was more widely distributed with a mean incidence of 90.3% compared to 41.7% for ANTH. CBB was also more severe with a DII of 62.2% compared to 24.1% for ANTH. A total of 73.3% of the surveyed fields were planted with farm-saved seed, and only 26.7% were planted with certified seed. These results suggest that the incidence and severity of CBB and ANTH in northern Zambia are high, and the use of farm-saved seed is equally high, which makes it challenging to control both diseases given their seedborne nature of transmission. The study underscores the need for an integrated management strategy, including planting certified seed of varieties resistant to both CBB and ANTH, and the need for an effective seed system to deliver these improved varieties to smallholder farmers.
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