Investigating the impact of rice blast disease on the livelihood of the local farmers in greater Mwea region of Kenya

Abstract

Rice is the most important cereal crop in Kenya coming third after maize and wheat. It forms a very important diet for a majority of families in Kenya. The demand for rice in Kenya has seen a dramatic increase over the last few years while production has remained low. This is because rice production has been faced by serious constraints notably plant diseases of which the most devastating is rice blast. Rice blast is known to cause approximately 60% -100% yield losses. It is caused by an Ascomycete fungus called Magnaporthe Oryzae. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of rice blast disease on the livelihood of the local farmers in Greater Mwea region and develop a rice blast disease distribution map using GIS approach. The study methodology employed a questionnaire survey which were subjected to sample population of households in the 7 sections with 70 blocks within Mwea region. The collected data was analysed using SAS Version 9.1. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the household characteristics, the farm characteristics and the farmers’ perceptions of rice blast disease. In the questionnaire, farmers’ response on whether they had been affected by rice blast disease and the total production per acreage was used to develop an attribute table with GPS points. The GPS points were interpolated to create a geographical distribution map of rice blast disease. From the research findings almost all the farmers’ had awareness and knowledge of rice blast disease, 98% of the farmers interviewed were aware of rice blast disease. Out of the 98% with knowledge and awareness 76% have been affected by the disease, while 24% have never been affected. Farmers attributed rice blast disease to a range of different causes, including excessive use of nitrogen fertilizer, water shortage, lack of proper drainage canal and due to climate change. Majority of the farmers interviewed (72%) did not engage themselves in any other socio-economic activity even after being affected by the rice blast disease. 15% opted to growing horticultural crops, 7% engaged in trading activities while 2% started livestock raring, wage earning and Boda boda business.

Analysis of fungal endophytes associated with rice roots from irrigated and upland ecosystems in Kenya

“…Next to Fusarium spp., the other Analysis of soil pH was conducted according to Otinga et al (2013). Organic carbon and nitrogen contents were determined following the protocol of Okalebo et al (2002), while extractable soil phosphorus was determined according to Olsen et al (1954) a Kihoro et al 2013 b Atieli et al 2009 c Wambugu et al 2012d Ohaga et al 2007 common taxa in the irrigated ecosystems were Curvularia and Talaromyces (Supplementary Table 1). …”

The role of glycerol in the pathogenic lifestyle of the rice blast fungus Magnaporthe oryzae

“…It is among the most significant global crop diseases and occurs wherever rice is grown. Rice blast is currently causing serious outbreaks in sub‐Saharan Africa (Kihoro et al ., ), as well as across South Asia, and South America (Martin‐Urdiroz et al ., ). The rice blast fungus Magnaporthe oryzae , which causes the disease, gains entry to its host by developing a specialized infection structure called an appressorium, which allows direct penetration of the plant leaf surface (Ryder and Talbot, ; Martin‐Urdiroz et al ., ).…”

Cross Infection between Rice and Wheat Blast Pathogen Pyricularia oryzae

“…It is the causal agent of rice blast, one of the most devastating diseases of rice (Oryzae sativa L.) observed in most of the rice growing-countries across the world (Kihoro et al, 2013). The pathogen can cause infection on leaves, stems, peduncles, panicles, seeds and even roots.…”