Impact of Anthracnose on Avocado Production in Kenya

Abstract

<jats:p>Avocado is the leading horticultural export in Kenya. In 2003, Kenya exported about 19,000 t, compared to 23 t in 1970. Most of the fruit is exported to the European markets. There are several constraints limiting production of avocado in Kenya, including limited superior varieties or planting material, poor infrastructure, poor market information, and poor tree crop management. Although several diseases infect avocado, the most important are fruit rot pathogens, such as anthracnose, cercospora, and scab. However, diseases and pests have not been important to avocado production in Kenya. Recently (2004), the constraint limiting avocado production in Kenya is anthracnose, caused by <jats:italic>Colletotrichum gloeospoirioides</jats:italic>. Little is known in Kenya on the impact of this disease on production and income realized by small-(&lt;1 acre) or large-scale growers. The objectives of this research were to quantify losses attributed to anthracnose in Kenya, determine the current disease control measures, and recommend good agricultural practice in conformance with EUREP-GAP. A survey was conducted in the avocado growing areas to identify and document constraints limiting avocado production in 2004. The highest losses were reported from central Kenya, where exporters reported up to 100% losses. Because all avocado varieties growing in Kenya are susceptible to anthracnose, it is recommended that good management, i.e., control of pests and diseases and good postharvest handling of fruit to minimize injury used as an entry point by anthracnose, should be enforced.</jats:p>

Morphological and Molecular Identification of the Causal Agent of Anthracnose Disease of Avocado in Kenya

“…whose impact is not widely studied [ 5 , 15 – 18 ]. Wasilwa et al [ 19 ] reported that over 60% of the Kenyan avocado production cannot be marketed because of damage and low quality of fruits associated with anthracnose disease. Despite the huge losses associated with the anthracnose disease of avocado in Kenya, no cultural and molecular studies have been done to identify the causal agent(s).…”

Spatial Distribution of Bactrocera dorsalis and Thaumatotibia leucotreta in Smallholder Avocado Orchards along Altitudinal Gradient of Taita Hills and Mount Kilimanjaro

“…Kenya is one of the major avocado-growing countries in Africa, with an annual production of 186,292 metric tonnes, while Tanzania witnessed a 20% growth in avocado production between 2005 and 2012 [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 ]. In both countries, avocado fruits are an important source of income and a nutritious food [ 7 , 8 , 9 ] for the smallholder growers and other stakeholders involved in farming and production [ 3 , 6 ].…”

“…Kenya is one of the major avocado-growing countries in Africa, with an annual production of 186,292 metric tonnes, while Tanzania witnessed a 20% growth in avocado production between 2005 and 2012 [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 ]. In both countries, avocado fruits are an important source of income and a nutritious food [ 7 , 8 , 9 ] for the smallholder growers and other stakeholders involved in farming and production [ 3 , 6 ]. However, avocado fruits are infested by several insect pests, specifically the false codling moth, Thaumatotibia leucotreta Meyrick (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), and Asian invasive fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel) (Diptera: Tephritidae), leading to phytosanitary restrictions by importing countries [ 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 ].…”

The origin and expansion of regional value chains: the case of Kenyan horticulture

“…From the 1970s onwards, however, European buyers began to encourage Kenyan producers to plant different varieties of avocado, such as Fuerte and Haas, to meet European consumer preferences. Approximately 85 per cent of the suppliers of avocado in Kenya are small to medium-scale farmers and farmer groups, the remainder large-scale farmers and Kenyan exporting companies who own their own farms (Wasilwa et al 2006). In terms of revenues, Kenyan avocados are estimated to be split approximately 50:50 between export and domestic markets (interview: government official, 24 November 2014, Nairobi).…”

“…To participate in GVCs, namely to be able to sell to European retailers, Kenyan farmers have switched their type of produce. While local avocado varieties are fibrous, have a soft outer covering and short shelf life (Wasilwa et al 2006), the most common varieties consumed in European markets are Haas and Fuerte, which are smoother, creamier and have longer shelf lives. Thus, local avocado varieties have mostly been replaced with export varieties demanded by European consumers, which had not previously been produced or consumed locally.…”