Distribution and Status of Maize Common Smut (Ustilago maydis) at West Wollega, Ethiopia

Abay Guta, Urgessa Tilahun
2021 European Journal of Biophysics  
Maize common smut assessment survey was conducted in the five districts of west and kellem Wollega zones namely Dale Sadi, Gimbi, Haru, Homa and Lalo Kile in 2015 during crop season. Among all cereals, maize is second to tef in area coverage in Ethiopia, but first in productivity and total production. Maize smut was seen as an outbreak at Kellam Wollega although it was not well known so before. The survey was conducted in 36 peasant associations (PA) and 67 fields in the five districts of the
more » ... o zones. Stratified sampling technique was applied in the survey. Peasant association were randomly selected from all Districts and was based on randomly selected maize farm fields. The locations in each Peasant association were at least 4 km (by car speedometer) apart depend on the topography and the relative importance of maize production. The common smut surveyed was moved diagonally "X" shape from one angle to other angle points using 3m x 3m (9 m 2 ) quadrates. Prevalence of maize common smut was 100% in all the districts and the exotic disease species have recently been introduced to the two Zones. This common maize smut was how to introduce not well known. The lowest and highest disease incidence recorded in Haru and Dale Sadi 14.65% and 22.99%, respectively. Dale sadi was recorded the highest average severity of 23.55%, followed by Lalo Kile District with an average severity of 21.7% and the Haru District with lowest disease severity record of 16.21%. The linear regression showed that highly significant different (p<0.01) and for each 100 m decrease in altitude disease incidence and severity of maize smut at (dough stage) increase by 0.212% and 0.232% respectively. The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence, incidence and severity of maize common smut species in two Zones.
doi:10.11648/j.ejb.20210902.11 fatcat:76c3dxfhdvggff7uuvtifkatca