Status of potato bacterial wilt and its management options in Kenya

Bacterial wilt disease, caused by Ralstonia solanacearum, is an important disease of potato (Solanum tuberosum L). In Kenya, bacterial wilt occurs throughout potato growing regions, affecting close to 70% farms under this crop. The disease spread has been accelerated by the use of informal seed sources due to seed unavailability and high cost of certified seeds which are unaffordable to small-scale farmers. Attempts to combat the disease have been difficult because the pathogen has a complex heterogeneous genetic makeup, a wide range of host of more than 200 families, including weeds. The objective of this review is to establish the current status of bacterial wilt and its management in Kenya. Phytosanitary and cultural methods, biological, chemical and physical control have been used to control the disease but with mixed results. Lack of land to practice rotation and lack of resistant varieties has constrained farmers, making the control of bacterial wilt difficult. Integrated disease management using crop rotation, in combination with using tolerant and certified seed potato cultivars is being encouraged so as to leverage from synergistic control mechanisms. Key words: Disease, Kenya, Ralstonia solanacearum, Solanum tuberosum L.