African Journal of
Agricultural Research

  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Agric. Res.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1991-637X
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJAR
  • Start Year: 2006
  • Published Articles: 6894

Full Length Research Paper

Distribution, incidence and farmers knowledge of banana Xanthomonas wilt in Burundi

P. Ndayihanzamaso
  • P. Ndayihanzamaso
  • Institut des Sciences Agronomiques du Burundi, BP 795 Bujumbura, Burundi.
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N. Niko
  • N. Niko
  • Institut des Sciences Agronomiques du Burundi, BP 795 Bujumbura, Burundi.
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C. Niyongere
  • C. Niyongere
  • Institut des Sciences Agronomiques du Burundi, BP 795 Bujumbura, Burundi.
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S. Bizimana
  • S. Bizimana
  • Institut des Sciences Agronomiques du Burundi, BP 795 Bujumbura, Burundi.
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A. Nibasumba
  • A. Nibasumba
  • Institut des Sciences Agronomiques du Burundi, BP 795 Bujumbura, Burundi.
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P. Lepoint
  • P. Lepoint
  • Bioversity International, BP7180, Bujumbura, Burundi.
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W. Tinzaara*
  • W. Tinzaara*
  • Bioversity International, Katalima Road, P. O. Box 24834, Kampala, Uganda.
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S. Kaboneka
  • S. Kaboneka
  • Food Agriculture Organization - Burundi, BP 1250, Bujumbura, Burundi.
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E. Sakayoya
  • E. Sakayoya
  • Direction de la Protection des Végétaux, BP 114, Gitega, Burundi.
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W. Jogo
  • W. Jogo
  • Bioversity International, Katalima Road, P. O. Box 24834, Kampala, Uganda.
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T. Mugiraneza
  • T. Mugiraneza
  • National University of Rwanda, Centre for Geographical Information system, P. O. Box 212, Butare, Rwanda.
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E. Karamura
  • E. Karamura
  • Bioversity International, Katalima Road, P. O. Box 24834, Kampala, Uganda.
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  •  Received: 11 May 2016
  •  Accepted: 24 June 2016
  •  Published: 22 September 2016

Abstract

Banana Xanthomonas wilt (BXW) is a devastating bacterial disease caused by Xanthomonas campestris pv. musacearum. The disease was simultaneously reported in Cankuzo and Bubanza provinces, Burundi, in November 2010. However, the extent to which the disease has spread to other banana growing regions in the country is unknown. Therefore, to ascertain the distribution and incidence of the disease and farmers’ knowledge on measures to control the disease, a survey was conducted in all 16 banana growing provinces of Burundi in August 2011. A total of 208 farms were sampled, selecting six farms per surveyed commune, three affected and three non-affected. The survey was conducted using a structured questionnaire. The disease was present in 10 out of 16 provinces constituting all agricultural lands in Burundi. The highest incidence was recorded in Ruyigi province (34%), where the Kayinja system is dominant and the lowest in Muyinga (3%), where the East African Highland bananas (EAHB) dominate. Awareness of BXW symptoms, modes of spread and control measures was generally low, ranging from 8 to 30% of households surveyed. The limited knowledge of the disease among farmers was thought to be largely responsible for driving the epidemic in Burundi.

Key words: Debudding, disease incidence, Musa species, Xanthomonas campestris pv. Musacearum.