Sweet potato-rot disease caused by fungal pathogens: A review on the causal agents and management strategies
Paper Details
Sweet potato-rot disease caused by fungal pathogens: A review on the causal agents and management strategies
Abstract
Sweet potato is one of the most cultivated root crops in the world. The crop is a potential food security crop in Sub-Saharan Africa with the ability to produce a substantial yield within three months. However, its root tubers in storage or the field are constrained with fungal root rot diseases. Notably among them are Fusarium rots, Black rots, Java black rots, Rhizopus soft rot, and Charcoal rot are known to significantly impede the long-term storage of the root tubers into lean season. The ever-increasing threat posed by the usage of synthetic chemicals in the management of these rot diseases calls for safe and environmentally friendly management strategies. This review dived into existing and current management and control strategies in the management of sweet potato root rot diseases caused by fungal pathogens. The management strategies include; good agricultural practices, curing, refrigeration, and handling methods while the control strategies comprise of chemical control, antagonistic microorganisms, secondary compounds of plants, and botanicals. Integrated disease management renders unabatedly multidisciplinary approach with synergic action on several sweet potato fungal root rot-causing pathogens in the tropics.
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Frederick Kankam, Joseph Kwowura Kwodaga, Fataw Yakubu Ware (2025), Sweet potato-rot disease caused by fungal pathogens: A review on the causal agents and management strategies; IJMM, V20, N5, May, P1-14
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