back to Country Profiles

For further information on Potato Production click here  

Describe the overall disease situation

LB is a countrywide problem in the potato growing regions.  It can rank the number disease problem followed by bacterial wilt.

Estimate crop losses

Late blight can cause up to 90% loss as evidenced from control plots in experimental fields.  However, it may be stated that at farm level, farmers realize yield losses of up to 60%.  This estimate takes into account the fact that in Uganda, a larger % of potato produced is by a few farmers who are able to manage LB albeit at different capacities. And that majority of the small-scale farmers who may not afford the recommended LB control measures contribute the smaller % potato produced.

Describe farmer practice in disease management

• The well to do farmers – those with resources to access and utilize technological innovations – are able to manage LB using both systemic and contact fungicides like Ridomil and Dithane M45 respectively. 
• Others use the disease escape strategy – planting when they expect climatic conditions to not be favorable for LB development.  Thus quite often, they grow potatoes in drier periods, which results in low yields despite their having avoided spraying.
• Others use varieties thought to be resistant to LB.  In Kapchorwa district in Eastern Uganda, over 60% of potato farmers grow the variety “Cruza” on which they don’t apply fungicides.  However, personal observation is that it is not as resistant as they rank it.  In 2005A season, I visited a field of Cruza that had been devastated by LB – weather conditions were very favorable for LB development. 

Fungicides currently being used against late blight in order of priority

Metalaxyl resistance

• Not established but plans are under way to do the investigation.

Varieties / land races used in the country

• No new varieties since the release of NAKPOT 3, 4 and 5
• Population B3 genotypes 393382.44 and 389385.39 are due for submission for release during the 2005B season.
  • They both have good levels of LB resistance that are higher than the Victoria which is the most commonly grown improve variety
  • 393382.44 has been found good for mainly “crisps” but can also be used for French fries, mashing and as boiled potatoes

Molecular markers being employed for pathogen population characterization:

• None

Studies on comparative aggressiveness of new Vs. old population done?

• Not done

Relative importance of tuber blight

• Increasing especially among the farmers that don’t practice LB control

Describe on-going potato late blight research

Optimizing fungicide spray regimes to complement potato variety resistance for integrated management of late blight (Phytphtora infestans) in Uganda – Part of a regional trial for Rwanda, DR Congo, Burundi, Ethiopia, Uganda and Kenya

• Development of Varieties with Durable Resistance to LB in PRAPACE Countries – Evaluation of Population B3 provided by CIP-Lima
• Development of decision support tools for the management of late blight of potato – PhD Study for Rogers Kakuhenzire

Publications on late blight in the country:

Kakuhenzire, R., Hakiza, J.J., Adipala, E., Wagoire, W. and Lemaga, B., 2004. Yield stability and acceptability of two new Solanum potato varieties in Uganda. Uganda Journal of Agricultural Sciences 9: 718-722.

Namanda, S., Olanya, O.M., Adipala, E., Hakiza, J.J., El-Bedewy R, Baghsari, A.S. and Ewell, P. 2004. Fungicide application and host-resistance for potato late blight management: benefits assessment from on-farm studies in S.W. Uganda.  Crop Protection, 23: 1075-1083.

Contact persons

Contact: William Wamala Wagoire. E-mail: wwagire(at)infocom.co.ug

Profile as of February, 2004