Importance, biology, epidemiology, and management of Xanthomonas campestris pv. musacearum (Xcm) of Enset [Ensete ventricosum (Welw.) Cheesman] in Ethiopia

Malkamu Fufa Ajema

Net Journal of Agricultural Science
Published: October 27 2022
Volume 10, Issue 4
Pages 72-89

ABSTRACT

Enset [Ensete ventricosum (Welw.) Cheesman] is an economically, nutritionally, and industrially important root crop in Ethiopia. However, many biotic and abiotic factors are negatively affecting and reducing the production and productivity of the crop in Ethiopia and elsewhere. Of the various bacterial plant diseases limiting enset productivity, bacterial wilt caused by Xanthomonas campestris pv. musacearum is one of the major cosmopolitan and destructive pathogens in all enset-growing areas. This piece of work was undertaken to: 1) review the economic importance and ecological requirements of enset and the extent of total yield loss due to Xcm; 2) review the biology and ecological requirements of the pathogen leading to epidemics; and 3) compile the management options for sustainable enset production and productivity. This review highlights various studies on the importance of the disease and the efforts employed so far in the management of this highly destructive disease to enset production. To achieve these objectives, data and information were gleaned from different sources of journals, theses, books, proceedings and symposium papers, relevant compendia, internet resources and personal communications. From the review insight, it is confirmed that there is no single best enset wilt management option available that farmers rely on and there is a lack of resistant varieties. Cultural and sanitary measures are the only methods most frequently used across the enset-growing areas and are found to be fruitful in community mobilization to create awareness among the farming community. In the future, awareness creation and regular field monitoring are vital, while the development of resistant or tolerant varieties is mandatory.

Keywords: Bacterial vascular wilt, corm, prevalence, pseudo stem, severity, sucker, variety, yield loss.

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