Journal of Plant Pathology & Microbiology

Abstract

Integrated Management of Faba Bean Black Root Rot (Fusarium solani) through Varietal Resistance, Drainage and Adjustment of Planting Time

Belay Habtegebriel and Anteneh Boydom

Black root rot, caused by Fusarium solani, is one of the most important diseases of faba bean causing up to 70% on farm yield loss in severe conditions in Ethiopia. Integrated management is the most promising alternative to control the disease. Three faba bean varieties, two drainage methods and three planting dates were evaluated under high disease inoculum pressure on a sick plot for two consecutive cropping seasons in a 3×2×3 factorial experiment. Results showed that the resistant variety Wayu was least affected by the disease (18.86% dead plants at harvest) when sown early on a flat bed. The susceptible variety Kassa was highly affected by the disease (89%) on a raised bed. All the three varieties performed well on raised beds (41.16%) than on flat beds (51.29% dead plants). Early or late planting resulted in significantly lesser overall percentage of dead plants (38.85%) and (44.23%) respectively as compared to optimum planting date (55.59%). Significant interactions were observed between variety and drainage method (P=0.003, F = 6.94, df= 2) which resulted in the least percentage of dead plants (21% and 20% on a flat and raised bed respectively) of variety Wayu compared to the moderately resistant variety Wolki (69% on flat and 36% on raised) and the susceptible variety Kassa (63% flat and 67% raised). The yield (g/plot)also varied significantly with variety wolki giving the highest yield (856 g/plot ) followed by variety Wayu (883 g/plot ). It is concluded that all the three factors are important for management of the disease but emphasis should be given to varietal resistance and use of raised beds. The two varieties Wolki and Wayu are recommended with raised beds for higher yield and variety improvement programs.