Prevalence and Intensity of Mango (Mangifera indica L.) Anthracnose Caused by Colletotrichum Species in South-western of Ethiopia

Abstract

Mango (Mangifera indica L.) anthracnose caused by Colletotrichum spp. is considered as the most important mango disease in the humid tropics. The disease widely occurs in some parts of Ethiopia that has characteristically tropical humid weather condition. However, in southwest Ethiopia the prevalence and intensity of the disease is not sufficiently studied. In the study the prevalence, incidence and severity of the disease was assessed in some humid parts of Ethiopia. The study was conducted during the 2013 to 2014 production seasons by sampling a total of 36 plots in 9 locations in south west Ethiopia. The sampling method for location and plot selection was purposive sampling using a predetermined criterion, while mango trees were randomly sampled within a plot. Disease incidence and severity on mango trees were measured on leaves, panicles and fruits. The disease is prevalent in all locations and plots assessed. However, disease incidence and severity of mango anthracnose varied significant (p < 0.05) across the locations. The mean incidence of the disease on leaves, panicles and immature fruits was 76%, 71% and 68%, respectively, while the mean disease severity was 49%, 47%, and 41%, respectively. Seka-Chokorsa area had the highest mean disease incidence (90%) and severity (61%), while Gura-Ferda had the least mean disease incidence (39%) and severity (24%). Generally, the mean mango anthracnose incidence and severity were 71% and 45.7%, respectively, in the studied areas. The disease was influenced by rainfall, altitudinal gradient and temperature. The study revealed that mango orchards in southwest Ethiopia are under mango anthracnose disease pressure suggesting the need for appropriate management practices