Bean Seed Contamination by Pathogens and Current Management Strategies in Muranga and Kiambu Counties

Abstract

Good agricultural practices require planting of correct and clean materials. A study to determine bean farming practices and assessment of the importance of seed-borne diseases in common beans in Murang’a and Kiambu Counties was conducted. Evaluation for seed type used and performance of farm-saved and certified seed in farmers’ fields and marketing of produce was done in July to August, 2015. Forty farmers per county were involved and 0.5 kg sample of beans was collected from each participating household and tested for pathogen contamination. Only 1% of the farmers used certified seeds and only 5% produced enough to eat and surplus for sale. Over 60% were aware of Arthropod pests but not diseases and seeds; 73.8% did not sort seeds. The common pathogens detected were: Colletotricum lindemuthianum, Fusarium sp., Alternaria alternata, Penicillium, spp., Asperigillius sp., Xanthomonas and Pseudomonas spp. These pathogens were prevalent in 1-5% of certified seed. Certified seeds had significantly (P<0.05) better weight than farm-saved seeds. Farmers preferred their own saved seed than certified ones, and did not consider importance of seed sorting and use of certified seeds to improve crop health and quality of produce. Farmers need training on good bean farming practices for realization of locked potential. The effect of soil fertility on grain yield of beans needs quick intervention for farmers to realize the importance of inputs.