Prevalence De La Maladie Du Deperissement De L’ananas (Wilt) Et Perception Des Producteurs Au Benin

Abstract

Pineapple [Ananas comosus (L.) Merril], cultivated in Benin for it economical importance is affected by Pineapple mealybug wilt, a viral disease. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the determining factors of its prevalence and farmers knowledge on the disease. To achieve these, a total number of 180 farmers, distributed in five communes of southern Benin have been interviewed in 2014 and 2015. In order to identify factors that influence the disease distribution, generalized linear models with the binomial and multinomial distribution family were used to explain the effect of the variables (field and plant levels) and disease severity, respectively. Only factors ‘commune’ 'and' year ' had a significant effect on the incidence at field level (69% in 2014 and 78% in 2015) while three predictors (township, year and variety) explained the severity of the disease and the interaction year -township was significant. Farmers perceive the disease and attribute five causes responsible for its expression. They use height methods to manage the disease. These findings constitute a qualitative as well as quantitative information to build on in designing methods of controlling the disease in order to boost the productivity of pineapple in Benin.