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Banana xanthomonas wilt continues to spread in Tanzania despite an intensive symptomatic plant removal campaign: an impending socio-economic and ecological disaster

Author

Listed:
  • Mpoki M. Shimwela

    (ARI-Maruku
    University of Florida)

  • Randy C. Ploetz

    (University of Florida)

  • Fen D. Beed

    (Kasetsart University Bangkhen)

  • Jeffrey B. Jones

    (University of Florida)

  • Jason K. Blackburn

    (Spatial Epidemiology and Ecology Research Laboratory, Department of Geography, University of Florida, and Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida)

  • Shabani I. Mkulila

    (ARI-Maruku)

  • Ariena H. C. van Bruggen

    (University of Florida)

Abstract

Banana Xanthomonas wilt (BXW), caused by the recently introduced pathogen Xanthomonas campestris pv. musacearum (Xcm), is a limiting factor for banana production in Kagera, Tanzania. A region-wide eradication campaign was initiated in 2013. The objectives were to gain insight into the spatial and seasonal occurrences of BXW and into field management practices. In 2015, 135 smallholder farmers were interviewed about BXW and management practices, and their farms were assessed for incidence of the disease. BXW incidence per ward in 2014, obtained from extension offices, and space-time cluster analysis was performed with SaTScan. BXW clusters were detected during rainy but not during dry seasons. These results agreed with the information provided by farmers that the highest incidence of BXW occurred during rainy seasons. Farmers recalled that BXW incidence increased exponentially between 2011 and 2013 but decreased steeply after 2013, coincident with the start of the BXW eradication campaign. However, pathogen transmission continued due to inconsistent sterilization of field tools and exposure of Xcm to rain. Fields of poor farmers are at greatest risk because they borrow tools and are unable to impose some recommended management practices. After the appearance of BXW in individual farms, the number of banana bunches consumed per family per month decreased significantly from 13.1 to 6.4 with a corresponding increase in areas planted to cassava and maize. Based on these findings, we suggest refining the BXW management recommendations, in particular limiting the cutting of BXW-affected plants to dry periods and sterilizing farm tools in fire.

Suggested Citation

  • Mpoki M. Shimwela & Randy C. Ploetz & Fen D. Beed & Jeffrey B. Jones & Jason K. Blackburn & Shabani I. Mkulila & Ariena H. C. van Bruggen, 2016. "Banana xanthomonas wilt continues to spread in Tanzania despite an intensive symptomatic plant removal campaign: an impending socio-economic and ecological disaster," Food Security: The Science, Sociology and Economics of Food Production and Access to Food, Springer;The International Society for Plant Pathology, vol. 8(5), pages 939-951, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:ssefpa:v:8:y:2016:i:5:d:10.1007_s12571-016-0609-3
    DOI: 10.1007/s12571-016-0609-3
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    Cited by:

    1. Andlia Abdoussalami & Zhenghua Hu & Abu Reza Md. Towfiqul Islam & Zhurong Wu, 2023. "Climate change and its impacts on banana production: a systematic analysis," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 25(11), pages 12217-12246, November.
    2. Ichinose, Yuri & Higuchi, Hirokazu & Kubo, Ryosuke & Nishigaki, Tomohiro & Kilasara, Method & Shinjo, Hitoshi & Funakawa, Shinya, 2020. "Adaptation of farmland management strategies to maintain livelihood by the Chagga people in the Kilimanjaro highlands," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 181(C).
    3. Enock Warinda & Dickson M Nyariki & Stephen Wambua & Reuben M Muasya & Munir A Hanjra, 2020. "Sustainable development in East Africa: impact evaluation of regional agricultural development projects in Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda," Natural Resources Forum, Blackwell Publishing, vol. 44(1), pages 3-39, February.

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