Survey of Tea (<i>Camellia sinensis</i>) Diseases in Southwestern Ethiopia

Abstract

Tea (Camellia sinensis) is one of the most commonly consumed beverages next to water worldwide. However its production and productivity is constrained by many fungal diseases in Ethiopia. Despite this, there is lack of information on the status of the diseases and lack of knowledge on features of the pathogens associated with the diseases as there have been no any systematic assessments conducted so far. Therefore, the current works were designed with the objectives to assess the distribution of tea diseases and identify the associated pathogens. For this purpose, field surveys were carried out across three tea estate farms (Wushwush, Chewaka and Gumaro) and tea out growers surrounding them in Kafa, Sheka and Ilu Aba Bora zones in Southwest Ethiopia during the 2019 season. Causative pathogens of the diseases were identified using cultural and morphological features. The average Fusarium wilt incidence varied from (0 to 20%), Black rot (7-15%), Bird's eye spot (4-15%), Brown blight (2-5%) and Grey blight (0.5-5%) while mean disease severity of Black rot, Eye spot, Brown blight and Grey blight ranged from 4-11%, 3-9%, 1-5% and 0.5-5%, respectively. Fusarium wilt, black rot disease and eye spot diseases of tea directly related to tea yield loss. Algal leaf spot disease caused by Cephaleuros virescens was observed at Gumaro tea estate farm on the older leaves of aged tea bushes. The present study revealed the economic importance of tea diseases in Southwest Ethiopia. Future research should be directed towards the investigation and determination of management options for the control of important diseases of tea in the country.

Tea (Camellia sinensis) Production, Opportunities, Challenges, and Future Prospects in Ethiopia

“…Many fungal pathogen-caused diseases are a major constraint to tea production and productivity in Ethiopia. Fusarium wilt, black rot, bird's eye spot, brown blight, grey blight, and algal leaf spot diseases are caused by Fusarium oxysporum, Corticium koleroga, Cercospora theae, Colletotrichum camelliae, Cercospora theae, and Cephaleuros virescens, respectively, were identified diseases of tea plants in the country [8,13]. Tea yield loss is linked to fusarium wilt, black rot, and bird's eye spot disease.…”

“…Tea yield loss is linked to fusarium wilt, black rot, and bird's eye spot disease. Cephaleuros virescens-caused algal leaf spot disease was observed on the older leaves of aged tea trees at the Gumaro Tea Estate Farm [8,13].…”

“…Tea (Assam type) was introduced to Ethiopia for the rst time in 1927 and is grown in the Oromia Region, Ilu Aba Bora Zone, Alle District, near Gore Town [7]. In 1989, Wushwush and Gumero tea estates began commercial tea production in Ethiopia, and the tea industry quickly spread to other parts of the country [8]. Except for burgeoning outgrowers around tea corporations, Ethiopian tea plantations are owned by large-scale investors.…”

“…Except for burgeoning outgrowers around tea corporations, Ethiopian tea plantations are owned by large-scale investors. In contrast to other nations such as Assam, Ceylon, and Indonesia, Ethiopia produces tea in a monoculture with no shade trees [8]. e crop grows best in areas with at least 1,500 mm of annual rainfall, mean air temperatures of 18-20 °C, average humidity of 70-90%, and ve hours of sunlight per day [9].…”

“…Besides, the scarcity of technology like ideal cultivars due to the narrow genetic base in the country remains the yield low [12]. Climate change, pest infestation (disease, insect, and weed) [8,[13][14][15], and weak adoption of tea production packages due to the lack of adequate extension service [16] are also the problems facing the production of tea. is review provides a brief explanation of the status, gaps, and opportunities of tea production and the challenges facing tea research and production in Ethiopia.…”