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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Orono, Maine » New England Plant, Soil and Water Research Laboratory » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #163925
Title: SEED-PLOT TECHNIQUE: EMPOWERMENT OF FARMERS IN PRODUCTION OF BACTERIAL WILT-FREE SEED IN KENYA AND UGANDA

Author
item KINYUA, Z - KENYA AGRIC RES INST
item Olanya, Modesto
item EL-BEDEWY, R - AGRIC RESEARCH CENTER
item SMITH, J - CABI-BIOSCIENCES, UK
item CRISSMAN, C - INTERN'L POTATO CENTER

Submitted to: Bacterial Wilt, The Disease and Ralstonia Solanacearum Species Complex
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/1/2005
Publication Date: 6/1/2005
Citation: Kinyua, Z.M., Olanya, O.M., El-Bedewy, R., Smith, J.J., Crissman, C. 2005. Seed-plot technique: empowerment of farmers in production of bacterial wilt-free seed in kenya and uganda. Bacterial Wilt, The Disease and Ralstonia Solanacearum Species Complex. APS Press, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA, pg 510

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The Use of healthy potato seed is one of the most significant components of bacterial wilt management strategies. The unavailability and high cost of registered or disease-free potato seed is a constraint to increased potato production in some tropical environments. Production of potato seed without bacterial wilt infection, using seed-plot technique at the farm level was evaluated at on-farm sites in Kenya and Uganda. The technique utilizes intensive management of bacterial wilt in potato fields by disease-free seed, cultural practices (rouging, destruction of diseased seed or plants, sterile farm equipment, non-host crops) and use of field plots with no previous history of bacterial wilt. This was evaluated in potato farms at high planting density of 20cm x 20cm compared to standard 75cm x 75 cm spacing. The results of tuber yield for variety Asante/Victoria (CIP 381381.20) planted at 3 sites in Kenya and 2 sites in Uganda ranged from 4.3 to 11.9 kg/m2 in seed plots (high planting density) and 2.9 to 31.0 kg/m2 (low planting density). Tuber numbers were also significantly greater in the high planting density. The reduction in seed costs and low bacterial wilt disease levels were significant motivating factors which enhanced the desire of potato farmers to utilize the seed-plot technique for bacterial wilt management.