Biotic Constraints to Passion Fruit Production in Central and Eastern Provinces of Kenya

Abstract

Passion fruit is an important crop in Kenya for income generation. However, passion fruit production faces major challenges due to pests and diseases that have led to yield losses of 50-100%. To support development of effective integrated management measures, a survey was carried out in July 2010 in Central and Eastern provinces. Results showed that >70% of farmers in the surveyed area had abandoned passion fruit farming due to dieback, fusarium wilt, brown spot, phytophthora canker and woodiness virus infections and pests like thrips and mites.