The ministry of agriculture has cautioned farmers in Kiambu Sub-County on late blight disease which mainly affects potatoes and tomatoes, especially during the cold weather.
Speaking from her office today, the Sub County Agricultural Officer Jane Muigai said that the disease can bring huge loss to farmers if it is not detected and managed early as plants can be die within days after being infected especially if the humid conditions favour rapid development of the infection.
She noted that that late blight disease is a fungus disease which spreads rapidly in potatoes and tomatoes during wet weather causing collapse and decay of the plants.
Muigai observed that the disease occurs when an infected tuber and tomato seed is planted. She added that it spreads fast as the spores produced easily spreads to adjacent and emerging plants.
“These spores are mainly transported by wind causing a wide spread of the disease to many crops. The disease spreads very rapidly,” said Muigai.
The officer said that it is difficult to control late blight once the symptoms are evident hence prevention is key, adding that fungicides used to control late blight will have some effect on early blight. Muigai said that farmers should avoid replanting in fields which had been infected in the previous years.
She recommended crop rotation practice with resistant crops the officer added that farmers should certified seeds. She also cautioned farmers against using seeds that are not certified saying that some farmers use seeds from their harvest.
Muigai also advised farmers to harvest in dry weather after the stems and leaves have dried up and are dead for at least two weeks to ensure minimum or no infection during the next season. She further advised farmers to regularly monitor their crops for early and timely detection of symptoms, adding that they should also pay close attention to weather forecast for effective control and management of the disease.
She also emphasised on the need to spray fungicides before any infections begin to manifest as a preventive measure.
The officer also urged farmers to form groups which will enable them to educate each other and help prevent crop diseases to ensure food security in the county.