Greener
Journal of Agricultural Sciences, Vol. 5 (6),
pp. 204-209, November
2015.

ISSN: 2276-7770 

Research Paper

Manuscript Number: 082315120

 

(DOI http://doi.org/10.15580/GJAS.2015.6.082315120)

 

Farmers Knowledge of
Anthracnose Disease of Cassava and Yam in Four Ecological Zones in Ghana

                            

¹Appiah-Kubi, Z., ²Apetorgbor,
A. K., ¹Moses, E., ¹ 

and Appiah-Kubi, D.

 

 ¹CSIR-Crops
Research Institute, P. O. Box 3785, Kumasi, Ghana.

²Department of Theoretical
and Applied Biology, KNUST, Kumasi, Ghana.

Abstract

 

During surveys on
anthracnose disease of cassava and yam, farmers were interviewed through
questionnaire to seek their knowledge of the disease in four ecological zones
in Ghana (Forest, Transition, Guinea Savannah and Coastal Savannah). Results
analysed indicated that over 61% of the yam farmers and 79% of
cassava farmers have good knowledge of anthracnose diseases. The farmers were
aware that the disease occur on the leaves and stems of cassava and also on the
leaves and vines of yam. More than 50% of the farmers said that wet seasons are
the period where the disease spread most. In all the ecological zones, more
than 55% of the farmers indicated that the disease has negative effect on their
produce yet more than 60% of the farmers did not have any idea as to the causes
of the disease and do not undertake any control method to manage the disease.
The work has revealed that farmers may know about diseases due to long periods
of farming, their knowledge on the causes and control of cassava and yam
anthracnose disease is inadequate and therefore need more education.

 

Key words: Anthracnose, Cassava,
Yam, Control method.

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