Abstract

Leaf blight caused by Phytophthora colocasiae poses a significant threat to taro production in the Sudanian climatic zone of Burkina Faso. This study aims to assess producers' knowledge about the disease, its consequences, and field management practices. An ethnobotanical survey was conducted among taro producers between June and July 2021. Data were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire and analyzed through descriptive statistics, frequency calculations, relative citation frequencies (RCF), and Spearman correlation. The results revealed that the major constraint faced by producers is Taro Leaf Blight. Although surveyed producers have good knowledge of the symptoms (RCF=79.67%), they have limited knowledge about the source of infestation, dissemination factors, and none of them associate it with a pathogen. Consequences of the disease on the plant include a decrease in corm yield and its denaturation. In terms of local livelihoods, the disease leads to food insecurity, poverty, and indebtedness of producers. Furthermore, the respondents are not aware of any effective control methods for the disease. The study highlights the real threat that the disease poses to taro production in the Sudanian climatic zone of Burkina Faso, emphasizing the urgency of developing an integrated control strategy.

Key words: Food security, taro leaf blight, endogenous knowledge, Phytophtora colocasiae, Burkina Faso.

Abbreviation

RCF, the relative frequency of citation; ACPCCC, adapting clonally propagated crops to climatic and commercial changes; INEA, International Network for Edible Aroids; BL/SM/120, name of a variety from Samoa.