Sweetpotato seed exchange systems and knowledge on sweetpotato viral diseases among local farmers in Acholi Sub Region-Northern Uganda
Loading...
Date
2018
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
African Journal of Agricultural Research
Abstract
Viral infections greatly limit sweetpotato yields. Good farming practices are critical for effective disease
management. 383 Ugandan farmers were surveyed to document symptom incidence, crop-management
practices, and buyer preferences. Results showed that 89.27% farmers grow sweet potatoes yearly and
62.76% of these farmers were female. A total of 56.83% farmers obtained vine seeds from their previous
gardens, 25.85% from neighbours, and 12.20% purchased. Only ~8% of sellers and ~4% of buyers were
selected for disease-free materials. None of the farmers who used vine-cutting knives sterilised them.
Almost half of farmers (47%) observed whitefly or aphids but most were unaware they are viral vectors.
Most farmers (77%) observed viral symptoms, but few (<2%) recognised them as infections. Insufficient
knowledge of sweetpotato viruses and their vectors is common and increases the risk of spread.
Practices like vine selling, sharing of vines coupled with insufficient knowledge on sweet potato viruses
and its vectors among farmers increase the risk of virus spread among different farms.
Description
Keywords
Sweet potato, Seed exchange, Local farmers, Farming practices, Vine selling
Citation
Wokorach, G., Edema, H., & Echodu, R. (2018). Sweetpotato seed exchange systems and knowledge on sweetpotato viral diseases among local farmers in Acholi Sub Region-Northern Uganda. African Journal of Agricultural Research, DOI: 10.5897/AJAR2018.13384