Assessment and Management of Potato Bacterial Wilt (Rastonia Solanacearum) In the North Rift Valley Region of Kenya

Abstract

Bacterial wilt (Ralstonia solanacearum) is a serious disease in potato production areas in Kenya, including the North Rift Valley region. The soils in these areas are acidic, which may favour the disease and not as such the crop. Studies were carried out to assess the status of potato bacterial wilt and to determine the effect of soil liming on its management. A survey was conducted in Trans Nzoia, Uasin Gishu, Keiyo and Marakwet districts of the North Rift region of Kenya during the short rainy season, October-December 2006. A questionnaire was administered to 256 potato growers, soil samples taken and field observations made. in each district two major potato growing divisions were assessed. The study areas and potato fields were randomly but purposefully selected on the basis of potato cropping intensity, current potato field size and crop growth stage.