ASSESSING FARMERS PERCEPTION, SOIL AND LEAF NUTRIENT STATUS AND XANTHOMONAS WILT INCIDENCE AT DIFFERENT ENSET GROWTH STAGES

Abstract

Enset bacterial wilt (EBW) disease and lack of standard agronomic practices are challenges for increasing production and productivity. Although enset is transplanted several times and all stages are susceptible to EBW, empirical evidence is lacking on how management practices at different stages influence soil fertility and disease incidence in the study area. The aim of the study was to assess farmers perception, and the relationship between soil and leaf nutrient status, and EBW incidence among different enset growth stages in enset gardens. The study was carried out at Chencha and Dita districts of Gamo Zone, South Ethiopian Regional State. Using semi-structured questionnaire, 184 enset growing households were interviewed on various management practices and presence and absence of EBW in their enset fields. This was supplemented by focus group discussion and observation for disease identification. Furthermore, 72 soil and 72 plant samples were collected from the three enset stages. The data was analyzed using SPSS version 20 and SAS version 9.4. The results indicated that manure application frequency decreased from stage 1 to stage 3 at both twice and once application per year. The frequency of hoeing and weeding activities differed in enset stages one year after transplanting (49.5%) and two to three years after transplanting (47.8%). Soil TN, available P&K, and CEC, as well as leaf N, P, and K showed non significant difference among three different growth stages of enset. The concentration of soil TN and K positively correlated with leaf N and K, respectively. The highest disease prevalence was recorded in Chencha district (46.7% at Hayizo and 36.7% at Hollo) compared to that of Dita district, (35.3% at Dalibanssa and 29.3 % at Giyassa). However, the highest disease incidence was recorded in Dita district (13.05% at Dalibanssa and 11.4%) at Giyassa) Majority (88%) of the respondents argued that EBW severity was higher at second stage. We conclude that enset management practices at different enset growth stages influence the measured soil nutrient status; however, susceptibility to EBW was influenced by Enset growth stages. Enset farmers need to pay due attention to reduce disease spreading mechanisms at stage three.