Spatially interpolated disease maps showed a high variation in the distribution of various sorghum fungal diseases across the investigated agro-ecological zones of lower eastern Kenya. There was a significant difference ( p ≤ 0.05) in fungal disease severity across the investigated agro-ecological zones. Disease prevalence, incidence and severity varied among the investigated agro-ecological zones. Sorghum anthracnose was the most prevalent disease (71%), followed by leaf blight (70.18%), rust (68.41%), smut (63.02%), sorghum mildew (55.33%), Alternaria leaf spot (48.39%) and rough leaf spot (46.02%). A total of 384 smallholder farmers’ fields were surveyed, and in each field, 30 plants were assessed for prevalence and incidence of fungal diseases using a W-shaped pattern to cover the whole field.
The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence, incidence, severity and spatial distribution of fungal diseases on sorghum across agro-ecological zones of lower eastern Kenya. Information on the distribution and severity of fungal diseases is important to establish efficient and improved strategies for integrated disease management of sorghum fungal diseases.
However, fungal diseases are among the major biotic constraints of sorghum production, causing over 70% yield loss in susceptible cultivars. Sorghum is a staple food crop and plays a critical role in subsistence farming in Kenya due to its adaptability to marginal agro-ecological zones.
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