Abstract
Maize is an important food crop in Kenya and is susceptible to a wide range of diseases. A survey was conducted in 2012 in different agro-ecological zones (AEZ) of Kiambu, Embu and Nakuru counties to determine the distribution of northern leaf blight (NLB), common rust (CR), maize streak disease (MSD), gray leaf spot (GLS), head smut (HS) and common smut (CS). Data collected included prevalence, incidence and severity of each of the diseases. Maize leaf samples infected with MSD were also collected for molecular characterization of Maize streak virus (MSV). Northern leaf blight was reported in all counties surveyed with 100% disease prevalence. Kiambu had the highest incidence (100%) of CR whereas Embu had the highest prevalence (45%) of MSD. The incidences of GLS and HS were very low with averages of below 2.5%. The highest incidence of GLS was in Kiambu (5%). High altitude areas had higher incidences of NLB and GLS while CS and MSD were widespread in the three counties. Comparison of 797 nucleotides from the open reading frame (ORF) C2/C1 of MSV with other sequences from the GenBank showed sequence similarities of 99 to 100% with MSV-A strain. The study revealed that the major foliar diseases of maize are widespread in Kenya and therefore there is need to institute measures to manage these diseases and reduce associated losses. Also, the high percent sequence similarities of MSV indicate low variability which is good for breeders since developed resistant varieties can be adopted over a wider region.
Highlights
Maize (Zea mays L.) is a major cereal crop in the world and ranks third in production after wheat and rice (Muiru et al, 2010; Keya & Rubaihayo, 2013)
The results from this study indicate that maize varieties planted by the farmers in different maize growing regions of Kenya were susceptible to the major maize diseases and it was clear that most of the farmers were not able to identify these diseases
Some farmers were planting maize varieties that may not be suited for the respective areas, denying the farmers an opportunity to realize the potential yields from such varieties
Summary
Maize (Zea mays L.) is a major cereal crop in the world and ranks third in production after wheat and rice (Muiru et al, 2010; Keya & Rubaihayo, 2013). Maize is important as a staple food in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), providing food and income to over 300 million resource-poor smallholder farmers (Tefera et al, 2011). The crop provides high yields per unit of land, making it a key crop in ensuring food availability and security for the consumers (Mboya et al, 2011). Maize is a major staple food in Kenya and is used as a determinant of food security (Tumusiime et al, 2010; Ouma & De-Groote, 2011). Maize production in Kenya is constrained by both abiotic and biotic factors (Wambugu & Wafula, 2000). Maximum crop production in the country in a good season is about 34 million tons and it can drop to 18 million tons during drought years (EPZA, 2005)
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