Ethiopia Late Blight Profile

(Update January 2004) Disease impact on the industry, consumers and country

Map Credits and Disclaimer. International Potato Center (CIP), Lima, Peru; Version 2003.0.0; Data sources Hijmans 2001; FAO (2000-2002); Update by Research Informatics Unit ([email protected]). This map does not imply any opinion whatsoever on the part of the International Potato Center concerning the legal status of any country or area, or its authorities, or the delimitation of its frontiers.

In Ethiopia potato production is mainly dependent on natural rainfall and smaller proportions of areas the crop is supported by irrigation. Due to the unfortunate shortage of rain in both main and short rain season's potato production was highly reduced through out the country. As to the previous years the potato yield has been seriously affected by late blight but during 2003 the disease coupled with the shortage of rain shower that was occurred through out the country, the yield per unit area and total production was significantly reduced. As a result there was a serious shortage of fresh potato in the local markets and about 50 % higher comparing to year 2002 raised the price. Small industries were also seriously affected because of scares in supply. Farmers in marginal potato growing areas whom were partly or fully dependent on potato to feed their family and for market use were critically affected. Disease occurrence and severity Potato Late blight the most devastating disease of potato in countries like Ethiopia where subsistence farmers are not in a position to properly know and control the disease. In Ethiopia, it occurs throughout the major potato production areas. The area under potato is estimated more than100, 000 ha. Total failure of the crop is not uncommon. Research centers have made estimates of

losses ranging from 6.5 to 61.7%, depending on the level of susceptibility of the varieties. The disease damages leaves, stems and tubers. Although tuber damage was apparent in the research centers and farmer fields, it has not yet been quantified. Therefore, this is one of the most important areas that needs researcher's attention in the future. Late blight is the major devastating disease of potatoes and occurs throughout the major potato production areas. The area under potato is estimated more than100, 000 ha. There are five major potato production regions in Ethiopia: • Central Ethiopia • Eastern Harerge • Northwest Ethiopia • South Ethiopia • Western Ethiopia In the central (Ginchi, Jeldu, Galessa and other districts, which are located in an altitude greater than 2800 m.a.s.l) highlands there is narrow diversification of crop species in rotation to cereals and pulses (such as barley, wheat and to some extent faba bean). In this part of the country, most of the farmers grow potato as a garden crop without rotation, but in areas like Shashemene (the major supplier of fresh ware potato to the capital city) potato is grown as a field crop under short rain with supplementary irrigation and /or under irrigation. In the eastern part of the country, it may be planted as relay cropping. During the long rains (June – September) and the short rains (March – May), potato is often intercropped with cabbages, sorghum, beans, maize, eggplant, or tomato. In other parts of Ethiopia, particularly in the eastern part of the country, strip cropping with cabbage may be done under irrigation conditions. In the northwest part of the country potato is the major field crop and has a significant role in the food system of the farmers in the region. In the western part of Ethiopia, although the crop used to be important in the cropping system, due to late blight disease farmers have almost stopped cultivating potato. However extensionists are trying to create conditions that enable farmers to obtain and grow tolerant high yielding improved varieties. Tomato The second most affected crop from late blight is tomato. To avoid the late blight damage, farmers predominantly grow tomato in the short rain season (February to April) with supplementary irrigation. The crop is cultivated in rotation with vegetables such as cabbage, cauliflower, red beet and others. The varieties grown in the country are highly susceptible to the disease and farmers are controlling the disease using fungicides such as Ridomil MZ and Dithan M 45. Disease sources Throughout the country the potato crop suffers from the late blight. The climate is conducive to the growth and development of the pathogen. The main sources of the disease are cull piles, volunteer plants, seed tuber and alternate hosts. Even soil contributes to the initial innoculum. Farmers do not cut the foliage and in most cases, after the crop reaches senescence, farmers do not harvest the entire field. They use the piecemeal approach of leaving the tubers in the field for extended periods of time and harvesting as needed. These practices favor the pathogen remaining in the ground and serving as an innoculum source for the next season. Also, farmers in most areas cultivate potato as mono-crop without rotation. These practices and the presence of alternate hosts significantly contribute to maintaining sources of innoculum in the system. Disease management successes and failures Control strategies Over the past 10 years integrated disease management of late blight (IDM-LB) has been adopted as a strategy. IDM-LB includes host resistance in combination with cultural practices such as early planting dates and reduced fungicide use. Experimental plots with IDM-LB yielded 50% and 75% more than late planting (planting during the month recommended for potato-growing) alone.

These control technologies developed in the research centers are found effective under the farmers field conditions. The improved technologies were tested under farmer's conditions with their full involvement in pilot sites through Farmer Field Schools (FFS). The only problem with the late blight control is that farmers do not have access to improved resistant varieties and fungicides as required. Fungicide use The first spray with Ridomil MZ 63.5% wp at a rate of 2 kg/ha and followed by 2-3 sprays (need base application) of Dithane M 45 at a rate of 3 kg /ha were found to be effective in controlling LB. Resistant cultivars The released improved variety Menagesha has lost resistance to LB, but still is one of the best varieties in the high altitude areas (>2800 masl) if supported by reduced fungicide application and early planting (Integrated Disease Management, IDM). The remaining improved varieties such as Tolcha and Wechecha better express their yield potential when accompanied with IDM. Late blight–resistant varieties have been released over the years. Below are varieties from CIP population A, which were released in 2002. CIP Number

Proposed Name

Adaptation

384321.19

Jalenea

Wide adaptation

387792.5

Degemegne

Wide adaptation

384321.9

Guasa

382173.12

Gorebela

Regionally released for North Western Ethiopia from Adet Research Centre Regionally released for North Shewa from Sheno Research Center

Pathogen population characteristics Mating type Recent studies of Ethiopian isolates found all those tested to date to be A1 mating type and the Ia mt-DNA-haplotype. Fungicide resistance Eighty percent of these isolates were metalaxyl-sensitive, 7% resistant and 13 % intermediate and the majority of them were collected from unsprayed fields. It should be noted, however, that, as it was not possible to perform the tests on metalaxyl resistance on freshly collected field material, the isolates could have changed their level of sensitivity during sub-culturing. The results indicate that the isolates tested could belong to the “new” population of P.infestans. . Moreover, the frequency of oospore production through self-fertilization in the tested isolates was as high as 97 %. This calls researchers to examine and understand the efficiency of the isolates to initiate disease and its roll in the disease cycle. Disease risks and/or major needs Understanding the population structure of P. infestans in the country and developing IDM strategies that are more infective, environmentally friendly and economical. There is a great need for healthy seed.

Any publications on late blight in the country? Kassa Bekele, W/Georgis Gebremedhin, Kelemwork Fasika, Mela Awel, Olanya O.M,. Ewell P.T, El-Bedewy R and Ortiz O. 2002. Integrated potato late blight management: Experience of Farmers Field School (FFS) in Dendi District. pp 55–67 in: Gemechu Keneni, Yohannes Gojjam, Kiflu Bedane, Chilot Yirga and Asgelil Dibabe(eds.). Towards Farmers' Participatory Research: Attempts and achivments in the central Highlands of Ethiopia. Proceedings of Client Oriented Research Evaluation Workshop, 16–18 October 2001, Holetta Agricultural Research Center, Holetta, Ethiopia. Kassa B, Olanya M, Tesfaye A, Lemaga B, Woldegiorgis G. 2002. Economic implications of late blight management in tropical highlands of Ethiopia (abs). pp 161 in: Lizárraga C (ed), Late blight: Managing the global threat. Proceedings of the Global Initiative on Late Blight Conference, Hamburg, Germany, 11–13 July 2002. International Potato Center, Lima, Peru. Kassa Bekele and Beyene Hailu. 2001. Efficacy and economics of fungicides spray in the control of late blight of potato in Ethiopia. African Crop Science Journal. Vol. 9 No.1 Kassa Bekele and W/Giorgis Gebre/Medhin. 2000. Effect of planting date on late blight severity and tuber yields of different potato varieties. Pest Mgt. J. Eth. (1&2):51-63. Kassa Bekele. 1999. Research on P. infestans in Ethiopia (abs). pp 121 in: Crissman L and Lizárraga C (eds), Late Blight: A threat to global food security. Proceedings of the Global Initiative on Late Blight Conference, Quito, Ecuador, 16–19 March 1999. International Potato Center, Lima, Peru. Kassa Bekele. 1996. Incidence and distribution of major potato diseases in 1993 and1994 off-season in Central Ethiopia. Abstract. pp 15. The 4th Annual conference of the crop protection society of Ethiopia. 23-34 May, 1996. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Kassa Bekele and Hiskias Yaynu. 1996. Tuber Yield loss assessments of potato cultivars with different levels of resistance to late blight. pp 149-152 in: Eshetu Bekele, Abdurahman Abdulahi and Aynekulu Yemane (eds.). Proceedings of the 3rd Annual conference, of Crop Protection Society of Ethiopia. 18-19 May, Addis Abeba, Ethiopia. CPSE, Addis Abeba. Kassa Bekele, Lemaga Berga, Hiskias Yaynu, W/Giorgis Gebremedhin and Gebre Endale. 1995. Evaluation of resistance to late blight in potato in Ethiopia. pp 114–116. Breeding for disease resistance with emphasis on durability. ISBN 90-6754-389.6. Kassa, Bekele. 1990. Status of major crop diseases in Welega region. pp 21–25 in: Seide Ahmed and Yaunu Hiskias (eds.). Proceedings of the 5 th Annual Conference of Ethiopian Phytopathological Conference. 13-14 March, 1990. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. EPC, Addis Ababa. Kidane-Mariam H M. 1979. Preliminary assessment of the responses of potato genotypes in the Eastern, Southern and Central regions of Ethiopia. Ethiopian Journal. Agricultural Science 1:41– 47. Mekonen Kindu, Kassa Bekele, and Beyene Hailu. 2002. Experience of participatory research on natural resorce management at galessa. Pp44-55. In: Gemechu Keneni, Yohannes Gojjam, Kiflu Bedane, Chilot Yirga and Asgelil Dibabe(eds.). Towards Farmers' Participatory Research: Attempts and achivments in the central Highlands of Ethiopia. Proceedings of Client Oriented Research Evaluation Workshop, 16–18 October 2001, Holetta Agricultural Research Center, Holetta, Ethiopia. Olanya O M, El-Bedewy R, Ewell P T, Hakiza J J, Kashaija I, Ngombe B, Kassa B, Woldegiorgis G, Mela A, Ortiz O, Nelson R. 2002. Yield response of potato varieties and clones in relation to late blight, bacterial wilt diseases and management practices associated with Farmer Field

Schools in Uganda and Ethiopia (abs). pp 164 in: Lizárraga C (ed), Late blight: Managing the global threat. Proceedings of the Global Initiative on Late Blight Conference, Hamburg, Germany, 11–13 July 2002. International Potato Center, Lima, Peru Schiessendoppler E, Molnar O. 2002 Characterization of Phytophthora infestans populations in sub-Saharan Africa as a basis for simulation modeling and integrated disease management (abs). pp 140 in: Lizárraga C (ed), Late blight: Managing the global threat. Proceedings of the Global Initiative on Late Blight Conference, Hamburg, Germany, 11–13 July 2002. International Potato Center, Lima, Peru. W/Georgis G/Medhin, Gebre Endale, Kassa Bekele, and Solomon Atsede. 2002. On farm evaluation of potato varieties in West and North west Shewa Zone. pp 230–239 in: Gemechu Keneni, Yohannes Gojjam, Kiflu Bedane, Chilot Yirga and Asgelil Dibabe(eds.). Towards Farmers' Participatory Research: Attempts and achivments in the central Highlands of Ethiopia. Proceedings of Client Oriented Research Evaluation Workshop, 16-18 October 2001, Holetta Agricultural Research Center, Holetta, Ethiopia. Is tuber blight a problem? Although tuber damage was apparent in the research centers and farmer fields, it has not yet been quantified. Therefore, this is one of the most important areas that needs researcher's Other comments Potato production Most of the potato crop is used as food (domestic consumption) either in mashed or boiled form, particularly in the highlands. Most of the harvested potato is sold in the market as fresh tubers. In eastern Ethiopia, merchants export the major portion, principally to Djibouti. Central Ethiopia Improved LB Break Menagesha resista (CIP nce 374080.5)

Eastern Harerge Improved LB Genet T (K 59 A-26)

Northwest Ethiopia Improved LB Genet T (K 59 A-26)

South Ethiopia Improved LB Wechecha T (Kroliza)

Western Ethiopia Improved LB Tolcha T (UK – 80.3).

Zengema (CIP 370479.6 Tolcha (UK – 80.3)

T

Genet (K 59 A-26)

T

Wechecha (Kroliza)

T

Tolcha (UK – 80.3).

T

Wechecha (Kroliza

T

Tolcha (UK –80.3

T*

Gohi(AL-105)

T

Wechecha (Kroliza). Degemegne (387792.5) Jelanea(384 321.19)

T

Chiro(AL111)

T

T

Kenya(AL148)

T

R

Samena (AL-575)

Local Dredawa Kara

•

H.S S

Bodesa (AL-114) Local Meshena Kurfa Mogur Tulema Awash (CIP 378501.3) Dredawa

Local Volvo Key Abeba

S T

T S

T- Tolerant; S- Susceptible; HS- Highly Susceptible

Research Activities • Characterization of P. infestans: • Metalaxyl resistance / sensitivity studies

Local Volvo Dredawa

S HS

T

• • •

Search for alternative hosts for late blight pathogen IDM of late blight with emphasis to cultural practices Biological control

Development of resistant varieties using advanced clones from: • CIP Population A • CIP Population B Integrated Management of potato LB through farmers field school (FFS). Fungicide x Variety (frequency of fungicide applications including weather parameters). Influence of plant density and N fertilizer source on LB epidemiology. Influence of compost organic fertilizer on LB severity. Fungicides effect on yield components of potato. Additional Comments All the potato production aspects are linked through a network of Governmental agencies, NGO’s, Private Sectors, farmers that are represented in various regions. e.g. • All Regional Research Centers • Alemaya and Southern Agricultural Universities • Ministry of Agricultural Bureau/Research and Extension • NGOs-Research and Extension • Private potato producers • Farmers/Research producers • Framers/Research and Extension • International Organizations There are policy and Institutional issues, which are important for improved potato production in the country. These include more recognition of the crop utilization at the national level and improved seed production scheme as well as the internal quarantine. Contact: Bekele Kassa, Ethiopian Agricultural Research Organization, Holetta Agricultural Research Center, Addis Ababa , Ethiopia. Email: [email protected]