Evaluation of Avocado Root Rot (Phytophthora cinnamomi Rands) Control Options in Southwest Ethiopia

Abstract

Avocado root rot disease, which is caused by the fungus Phytophthora cinnamomi Rands, is one of the major avocado production constraints in southwest Ethiopia. Evaluation of root rot control options was carried out 20011-2012 on root rot infested field at Gera and green house at Jimma.  For field experiment at Gera Six treatments (compost, mulching, EM with compost, EM with mulch, stem injection with cannon chemical and untreated control) were tested in RCB design with three replications and three trees per plot. For laboratory experiment at jimma, six treatments namely, compost, mulching, EM with compost, EM with mulch, stem injection with cannon chemical and untreated control were tested in completely randomized design. The result indicated that there was no a significant difference among the treatments for field experiment but treatments showed highly significant differences for green house experiment. None of the treatments tested gave any significant remedial effect for trees already infected and showing avocado root rot symptoms over the course of this trial. Therefore, growers are highly advised to use preventive measures to control avocado root rot problem.

Keywords:  Root rot, stem injection, compost, mulching