Abstract:
Pepper (Piper nigrum L.) serves as a source of income to smallholder spice farmers in Morogoro district of Tanzania. Recently,
spike shedding and stem wilting of pepper plants were reported to cause about 30% yield loss of the crop. This study was
undertaken to identify the causal agent(s) of the problems. Three pepper gardens in each of the four hamlets (Nyange, Doga,
Tandai, and Lukenge) in Tandai village (Kinole ward) were surveyed, and plant tissue and soil samples were collected for
laboratory analysis. An experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Pepper cultivars,
Babu kubwa, Babu ndogo, Babu kati, and Ismailia grown in the study area, were used as treatments for evaluation of the prevalence
of spike shedding and stem wilting. Treatments mean separation was conducted based on Duncan’s multiple range test at p � 0.05.
Regression (R 2 ) and simple correlation (r) analyses between stem wilting (incidence and severity) and termite pest infestation were
performed. The identified pathogen in most of the soil and plant tissue samples was Fusarium oxysporum. The nutrients, N, P, Mg,
and Cu, concentration in soil and leaf samples was below the optimal ranges. Termite attacks were significantly high in some
farmer’s gardens where up to 50.5% of the pepper plants was damaged. Hence, a significant positive correlation was observed
between termite pest infestation in gardens and both incidence (r � 0.881, R 2 � 0.74, p < 0.001) and severity of stem wilting
(r � 0.918, R 2 � 0.84, p < 0.001) of pepper plants. Most of the termite attacks and damages (70%) were observed on pepper plants
supported on silver oak, unlike those trained on Jatropha. A higher percentage of undeveloped berries (36%) and intermediate-
size berries (34%) was recorded on cultivars “Babu kati” and “Babu kubwa,” respectively. Multiple factors have been associated to
be the causes of spike shedding and stem wilting of pepper, which could be used to develop appropriate control solutions useful to
farmers. Confirmation of F. oxysporum pathogenicity is recommended. A comprehensive study is suggested on the repellent or
lethal activities of Jatropha against F. oxysporum and termites. Furthermore, studies through field experiments are needed to
generate site-specific soil nutrient improvement recommendations and design an integrated approach to control F. oxysporum
and termites and to determine existing alternative host plants for these pests.
