Distribution and incidence of cylas puncticollis in sweet potato and their economic losses in small holder farming systems of Gairo district, Tanzania
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Date
2016-07-01
Authors
Mapesa, Jofrey Andy
Kisetu, Eliakira
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Ecronicon
Abstract
This study assessed the incidences, distributions and yield losses in sweet potatoes (Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam) associated with
Cylas puncticollis in small holder farming systems of Gairo District, Tanzania. This was accelerated by the fact that small holder farm ers produce sweet potatoes in areas with high risks of sweet potato weevils. At the farmer’s fields, plots measured 5m × 5m in each
replicate, sweet potatoes were harvested and assessments were done on the variables such as number of weevils, species, roots
infested by Cylas and areas infested (above-below ground). Two sweet potato varieties namely Morogoro and Shangazi in Mtumbatu
village were involved. Results indicated that the number of weevils and their species were more in vines than in roots but serious
damage was observed in roots. These were also more prevalent in variety Morogoro compared to variety Shangazi. The mean number
of undamaged sweet potato was significantly (P<0.001) higher in Shangazi variety (54.7) compared to Morogoro variety (43.3). In
addition, economic losses of marketable roots were highly caused by Cylas infestations (USD 306) in variety Morogoro and breaking
(USD 425), cutting (282.5) and rotting (USD 67.5) in variety Shangazi. It was concluded that variety Morogoro is more susceptible
to economic losses caused by Cylas infestations compared to variety Shangazi. Therefore, variety Morogoro should be harvested as
early as it reaches maximum maturity and where possible farmers in Gairo District and similar areas should invest more on variety
Shangazi.
Description
Journal article
Keywords
Economic losses, Sweet potatoes, Weevils
Citation
Jofrey Andy Mapesa and Eliakira Kisetu. “Distribution and Incidence of Cylas puncticollis in Sweet potato and their Economic Losses in Small Holder Farming Systems of Gairo District, Tanzania”. EC Agriculture 3.4 (2016): 684-694