Year: 2025 | Month: July | Volume: 12 | Issue: 7 | Pages: 29-36
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijrr.20250704
Incidence and Disease Severity of Bacterial Wilt in Solanum Scabrum and Pathogen Identification in the Buea Municipality, Cameroon
Doris Besem Arrey1, Ayamba Prudencia2, Eneke Tambe Bechem3
Department of Plant Science, Faculty of Science, University of Buea, P.O. Box 63, Buea, Cameroon.
Corresponding Author: Doris Besem Arrey
ABSTRACT
Solanum scabrum Mill., commonly known as African nightshade, is an important indigenous vegetable in sub-Saharan Africa, valued for its nutritional and socio-economic benefits. However, its production in the Buea Municipality, Cameroon, is threatened by bacterial wilt caused by Ralstonia solanacearum, alongside other diseases such as Verticillium wilt and Tomato Yellow Leaf Curl Virus (TYLCV). This study aimed to assess the incidence and severity of bacterial wilt and other diseases affecting S. scabrum in Buea Municipality, identify the bacterial pathogen using cultural characteristics and evaluate the effectiveness of common management practices employed by farmers. A cross-sectional survey was conducted across five major production sites; Bolifamba, Bwitingi, Koke, Molyko, and Muea between November to December, 2023. Disease incidence and severity were assessed using quadrat sampling. Symptomatic plants were collected for pathogen isolation and characterization through cultural, morphological, and biochemical methods. A pathogenicity test was conducted to confirm the causal organism. The efficacy of selected management strategies, including the application of Mancozeb, ginger extract, black pepper extract, and wood ash, was tested under field conditions. Bacterial wilt recorded the highest incidence (32.48%) and severity (1.68%) across the study area, with Koke and Bwitingi being the most affected sites. Verticillium wilt and Tomato yellow leaf curl virus disease (TYLCV) had lower incidences of 4.68% and 6.14%, respectively. Cultural identification confirmed Ralstonia solanacearum as the causal agent of bacterial wilt based on colony morphology, gram-negative reaction, and pathogenicity tests. Field trials indicated that Mancozeb significantly reduced disease incidence (41.3%) and severity (13.6%) compared to other treatments. Wood ash was the least effective, resulting in the highest disease incidence (91.5%) and severity (54.5%). Bacterial wilt, caused by R. solanacearum, poses a significant threat to S. scabrum production in Buea Municipality. Although some management practices are employed, their efficacy remains limited. Integrated disease management approaches, incorporating resistant varieties, improved cultural practices, and appropriate biocontrol methods, are recommended for sustainable control of bacterial wilt in S. scabrum.
Keywords: Solanum scabrum, Disease, Incidence, Severity, Bacterial wilt, Ralstonia solanacearum, Management
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