Status of Major Coffee Diseases of Coffea Arabica L. in Afromontane Rainforests of Ethiopia. A Review

Abstract

Coffee berry disease (Colletotrichum kahawae), coffee wilt disease (Gibberella xylarioides) and coffee leaf rust (Hemileia vastatrix) were found prevalent in afromontane rainforest coffee areas (Harenna, Bonga, Berhan-Kontir and Yayu) of Ethiopia. The mean incidence and severity/intensity of coffee berry disease (CBD) ranged from 6.0 to 40.0% and from 2.0% to 17.9% at Berhan-Kontir and Bonga, respectively. The mean incidence of coffee wilt disease (CWD) varied from 2.4% at Berihan-Kontir to 16.9% at Yayu forest coffee areas. The mean incidence of coffee leaf rust (CLR) varied from 32.2% at Berihan-Kontir to 96% at Harenna. CLR also occurred in all field sites with annual variation in intensity. Investigation on morphological characteristics of uredinospores showed typical length and width with average sizes of 31.61 x 21.19 μm, Race specification indicated race II (v5) from Berhane-Kontir, race III (v1,5) and X (v1,4,5) from Bonga CLR collections. Recent investigation on Hemileia vastatrix hyperparasites has placed Ethiopian findings into Verticillium lecani. The results of assessments have revealed indicators to implement integrated management of major coffee diseases for sustainable conservation and wise use of forest coffee in afromontane rainforest of Ethiopia.

Keywords:  Coffee, Coffee diseases, Ethiopia