Cabbage Production in Tanzania: Challenges Faced by Smallholder Farmers in the Management of Black Rot Disease

Abstract

ABSTRACT Black rot caused by Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris, has increasingly become the major constraint to sustained production of cabbage in Tanzania. On-farm surveys were carried out in northern Tanzania to gain an insight on cabbage production practices in relation to the prevalence of black rot. The studies revealed a rapid increase in cabbage acreage characterized by inappropriate cultural practices and widespread occurrence of black rot. The black rot problem seemed to be aggravated by continuous cropping due to shortage of land, cultivation of susceptible cultivars and lack of suitable disease management strategies. Other challenges faced by farmers in the management of black rot included problems in seed quality, marketing and the adverse influence of middlemen in cabbage cultivation. The influence of farmers' practices on black rot development and a number of criteria used by farmers in their choice of cabbage cultivars for planting are discussed. Strategies for development of appropriate black rot management approaches for farmers in Tanzania are suggested. KEYWORDS: Black rotcabbagecruciferssustainable productionTanzania Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris