Survey: to assess the distribution and impact of potato blackleg and soft rot diseases in Zimbabwe

Abstract

A survey to assess the distribution and impact of the potato blackleg/soft rot disease complex in Zimbabwe was conducted from September 2009 to June 2010. Sixty-four questionnaires were collected from 9 potato growing areas in Zimbabwe. The farmers are aware of the existence of soft rot post- harvest decay, seed piece decay and blackleg disease. The most predominant management method for the (three) 3 diseases was the use of rotation cycles with various crops. Estimates of economic losses caused by the diseases ranged from <1 to 65% with the average being approximately 23%. The most popular cultivars grown in Zimbabwe are Amethyst and BP1, which were ranked as susceptible by more than 50% of the growers. The disease symptoms are more prevalent at temperatures between 15 - 20 ˚C with moist or humid conditions.