Browsing by Author "Kamore, Harrison Kibe"

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    Characterization and Biocontrol of Pathogenic Microorganisms Associated With Commonly Grown Banana Cultivars in Embu, Kisii and Nyamira Counties of Kenya
    (Kenyatta University, 2025-08) Kamore, Harrison Kibe
    Bananas (Musa spp.) rank among the highest-produced and traded fruit crops in the world. Production and marketability of bananas in Kisii, Nyamira and Embu counties of Kenya is greatly hampered by banana diseases caused by various pathogens. Information on disease severity and prevalence in the three counties is however scanty. Also, the various disease management strategies employed have not controlled the diseases effectively. This study aimed to profile bacterial and fungal pathogens affecting major banana cultivars in Kisii, Nyamira and Embu counties and assess the potential of arbuscular mycorrhiza fungi, species Rhizophagus irregularis against Fusarium wilt of bananas. Questionnaires were issued to 90 farmers to determine the preferred cultivars and post-harvest losses. Disease severity was determined by comparing the observable symptoms to available disease scoring charts. Samples were aseptically obtained from symptomatic plants. The causative agents for banana diseases were isolated and characterized morphologically and through DNA analysis. Sukari bananas regenerated in the tissue culture laboratory were used in determining the efficacy of Rhizophagus irregularis in controlling the Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. cubense infection. A Completely Randomized Design (CRD) was used in setting up the four treatments which had five replicates. Farmers in Embu reported the highest cases of post-harvest loss at 23.33%. While a few farmers reported theft, pests, and diseases as causes of post-harvest losses, the majority were not aware of the causes. Ng’ombe, Kienyeji and Sukari were identified as the major cultivars in Nyamira County. Israel, Sukari, Kiganda and Kampala were the most common in Embu while Eng’oche, Kienyeji and Sukari were the most common in Kisii County. The bacteria profiles, based on morphology, biochemical and 16S rRNA, associated with banana diseases were Xanthomonas campestris and Erwinia chrysanthemi. On the other hand, the fungal pathogens identified as causatives of banana disease were Fusarium oxysporum strains, Fusarium solani CBS 140079, Sclerotium rolfsii, Verticillium sp., Athelia rolfsii, Pseudocercospora sennae-multijugae and Mycosphaerella sp. The application of R. irregularis fungi effectively increased banana plants’ height, number of leaves and total leaves area while reducing the plants’ susceptibility to Foc. Due to the evidenced presence of pathogens, banana farmers should be trained on field diseases and product handling post harvest. More studies on the application of Rhizophagus irregularis in field banana crops should be done to test its full potential.