Studies on the die back disease of passion fruit in major production areas in Kenya
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Date
2010
Authors
Kahuthia-Gathu, R.
Wangungu, C.W.
Mwangi, Maina
Journal Title
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Abstract
Passion fruit is an important horticultural crop in Kenya where it is
grown widely by small scale farmers primarily as a source of income.
The fruits are supplied to the local and export markets where they
are consumed as fresh fruit for its nutritive value or utilized for
commercial processing purposes. Passion fruit is a good source of
flavanoids that have important medicinal value. Presently, demand
for the fruit greatly exceeds supply; and this trend is project to persist
in future, especially due to the emergence of new large scale
producers of beverages using locally available fruits, among the
passion fruit. The downward trend of passion fruit production which
has brought the industry to a near collapse is mainly attributed to
pests and diseases. A number of fungal diseases have been
identified as the major constraints to production. These include
Fusarium wilt and a recently emerged but highly severe disease
attributed to a complex involving Phytopthora species. Compared to
Fusarium wilt, the die back disease is rather poorly understood.
Since the disease is fairly new in the major passion fruit production
areas in Kenya, no effective management strategies have been
developed as yet. Preliminary research is yet to conclusively
determine whether the disease is caused by a single or multiple
organisms, though some reports suggest it is a complex caused by
several pathological organisms, possibly involving viruses l and
fungi. This proposed research will aim to generate data to fill the
existing knowledge gaps and thus contribute to the development of
effective control methods. Field studies will be carried out in the
major passion fruit growing areas in Central and Eastern provinces
of Kenya in Meru, Embu and Thika districts. Disease incidence and
severity will be recorded and infected plant samples will be collected
for isolation and identification of the causal organism(s) in the
laboratory. Several trials will be carried out under controlled
environment to establish pathogenicity of the isolated organisms on
healthy passion fruit plants. A combination of disease control
methods will be investigated. The data generated will contribute to
improved understanding and more effective management of the
dieback and other diseases threatening the Kenyan passion fruit
industry.
Description
Keywords
Die back disease, production, passion fruits
Citation
Proceedings of the 3rd International e-Conference on Agricultural BioSciences 2010 Page: 68 – 69; Abstract ID: IeCAB010-330a