PREVALENCE AND DISTRIBUTION OF EARLY BLIGHT, LATE BLIGHT AND SEPTORIA SPOT IN DIFFERENT AGRO-ECOLOGICAL ZONES OF KIRINYAGA COUNTY, KENYA

Abstract

Tomato production is characterized by inconsistence quality and yields that result from biotic constraints such as foliar fungal diseases that include septoria spot, early and late blights. Despite of disease constraints, information on prevalence of tomato foliar fungal diseases in different agro-ecological zones in Kenya is scanty. Therefore, this study assessed prevalence and distribution of early blight, late blight and septorial spot fungal diseases of tomatofive different agro ecological zones (UM2, UM3, UM4, LM3 and LM4) of Kirinyaga County in Kenya. Study was carried out using cross sectional survey method. At the farm, transects were laid diagonally from where micro plot was established for assessment of foliar fungal diseases of tomato. Percentage incidences and severity data were subjected to analysis of variance using Generalized Linear Model (GLM) and significant means separated using Least Significant Difference (LSD) at α = 0.05. Statistical Analysis Software (SAS) version 9.4 was used for the analysis. Incidences and severity of early blight, late blight and septoria spot in tomato farms in different agro- ecological zones were significantly different (p < 0.05). Incidence of early blight was high 72.09 % in zone UM3and lower in zones LM4 52.32 %. Incidence of late blight was high 51.77% in zone UM3 and lower in zones LM4 40.25 %. Incidence of Septoria spot was high 80.22% in zone LM4 and lower in zones UM4 44.81 %. Severity of Early blight was high 38.21 % in zone UM3 and lower in zones LM4 21.86 %. Severity of late blight was high 31.12% in zone UM3 and lower in zones LM4 19.27 %. Severity of septoria spot was high 39.76% in zone LM4 andlower in zones UM2 at 24.93 %. Incidences and severity of the three foliar fungal diseases of tomato differed in different agro ecological zones of Kirinyaga County. Future studies should consider evaluation of cost benefit analysis to determine economic impact of foliar fungal diseases of tomatoes in Kirinyaga County.