Farmers’ Perceptions on Tomato Early Blight, Fungicide Use Factors and Awareness of Fungicide Resistance: Insights from a Field Survey in Kenya
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Date
2023
Authors
NuwamanyaI, Andrew M.
Runo, Steven
Mwangi, Maina
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Journal ISSN
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Publisher
plos one
Abstract
Early blight (EB) caused by Alternaria solani is one of the most devastating tomato diseases
in Kenya and is most often managed by application of synthetic fungicides. However, there
have been reports from farmers about the declining efficacy of some fungicides. These
reports suggest that A. solani populations in Kenya could be developing resistance to some
of the commonly used fungicides. In this study, we surveyed 175 tomato fields, sampled in 3
major tomato producing counties in Kenya, to determine the status of EB, management
practices, and fungicide use factors that could contribute to development of resistance to
fungicides among A. solani populations in Kenya. Data was recorded on farm characteristics,
EB prevalence, fungicide usage, and farmers’ perceptions on fungicide efficacy. EB
was prevalent in 85% of the fields and 90% of the farmers identified it as a major cause of
yield loss. Tomato was grown all year round on 60% of the fields with only short fallow periods.
All farmers reported that they were relying on fungicides for EB control and none
among the cultivars grown was resistant to the disease. A total of 40 fungicide products, representing
20 active compounds with varying FRAC resistance risk levels were in use against
EB. Majority (83%) of the farmers were applying fungicides at dosages and frequencies
higher than those indicated on labels. Most farmers (81%) indicated that they had observed
declines in effectiveness of at least one fungicide, used at EB control. This observation was
more with fungicides in the strobilurin and triazole groups. These findings demonstrate that
the current tomato production systems in Kenya do not take into account the risk of A. solani
developing resistance to fungicides. Enhancing farmers’ knowledge of the disease and their
ability to properly select and apply fungicides is therefore crucial for effective control of EB
and mitigating the high risk of fungicide resistance build up.
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Citation
Nuwamanya AM, Runo S, MwangiM (2023) Farmers’ perceptions on tomato early blight, fungicide use factors and awareness of fungicide resistance: Insights from a field survey in Kenya. PLoS ONE 18(1): e0269035. https://doi.org/ 10.1371/journal.pone.0269035