Abstract
Banana Xanthomonas wilt (BXW) is a devastating bacterial disease caused by Xanthomonas campestris pv. musacearum. The disease was simultaneously reported in Cankuzo and Bubanza provinces, Burundi, in November 2010. However, the extent to which the disease has spread to other banana growing regions in the country is unknown. Therefore, to ascertain the distribution and incidence of the disease and farmers’ knowledge on measures to control the disease, a survey was conducted in all 16 banana growing provinces of Burundi in August 2011. A total of 208 farms were sampled, selecting six farms per surveyed commune, three affected and three non-affected. The survey was conducted using a structured questionnaire. The disease was present in 10 out of 16 provinces constituting all agricultural lands in Burundi. The highest incidence was recorded in Ruyigi province (34%), where the Kayinja system is dominant and the lowest in Muyinga (3%), where the East African Highland bananas (EAHB) dominate. Awareness of BXW symptoms, modes of spread and control measures was generally low, ranging from 8 to 30% of households surveyed. The limited knowledge of the disease among farmers was thought to be largely responsible for driving the epidemic in Burundi. Key words: Debudding, disease incidence, Musa species, Xanthomonas campestris pv. Musacearum.
Highlights
Banana (Musa species) is the first crop in Burundi in terms of production with 1,848,727 tonnes in 2011, followed by sweet potatoes and cassava (FAOSTAT, 2016)
Banana Xanthomonas wilt (BXW) is a devastating bacterial disease caused by Xanthomonas campestris pv. musacearum
The highest incidence was recorded in Ruyigi province (34%), where the Kayinja system is dominant and the lowest in Muyinga (3%), where the East African Highland bananas (EAHB) dominate
Summary
Banana (Musa species) is the first crop in Burundi in terms of production with 1,848,727 tonnes in 2011, followed by sweet potatoes and cassava (FAOSTAT, 2016). Plantains, which are Musa spp., are not common in Burundi. Banana is used for beer, cooking the and for dessert and contributes significantly to food security and income. The crop protects land against soil erosion especially in Burundi, where the landscape is hilly with steep slopes (Rishirumuhirwa, 1997). Banana production is threatened by wilt (BXW) caused.
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