Abstract

In Ethiopia, maize is the staple food and one of the main sources of calories particularly in the major maize producing-regions of the country. Survey was conducted to determine the prevalence, incidence and severity of foliar maize diseases in North Gondar Zone. A total of 150 farmers’ fields were randomly sampled from five districts (Chilga, Gondar zuria, Takussa, Metema and Dembia) in North Gondar Zone of Amhara Region during cropping seasons of 2015 and 2016 years. Five quadrants were examined per farmers’ field for estimation of maize foliar disease incidence and severity infestation. This was done followed by pathogen isolation and disease identification laboratory procedures. Both of two years surveyed data were collected, analyzed and expressed using simple percentage. Results indicated that the dominant maize diseases were caused by Exserohilum turcicum, Puccinia sorghi and Cercospora zeae-maydis pathogen. Maize disease incidence of E. turcicum ranged from 50 to 80%, P. sorghi 19 to 62% whereas that of C. zeae-maydis reached 42% on foliar maize disease. In addition 3-19% of disease incidence of maize streak virus was recorded from seemingly healthy maize plants. Among four identified diseases Turcicum leaf blight (TLB), Common leaf rust (CLR) and Gray leaf spot (GLS) were recorded as major disease, while maize streak virus (MSV) was as minor disease. The present study provides an indication of the incidence and severity of foliar diseases of maize on which management strategies could be derived to improve the maize production in the surveyed areas.

Key words: Disease, foliar, incidence, maize, prevalence, severity.