Infestation Status of Potato Tuber Moth, Phthorimaea operculella (Zeller) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) on Seed Potato around Holetta and Jeldu in Central Highlands of Ethiopia
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Date
2015-11
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Potato is the world’s fourth largest food crop after wheat, rice and maize. In Ethiopia potato is a potential food security and cash crop due to its high productivity and nutritional quality tuber. However, several factors contribute to the low yield of potato. Among the factors Phthorimaea operculella (Zeller) is a major pre and post harvest problem of potato in Ethiopia. The current study was conducted to evaluate the infestation status of P. operculella on seed potato. A survey was undertaken in west shewa Zone in three potential potato growing districts Welmera, Ejere and Jeldu. Data on the status of P. operculella under field and storage conditions were collected through observations and interview. Field observation was made near potato harvesting time, while observation under storage condition was done in the middle and near the next planting season. Fifty four respondents from all the three study districts were randomly selected and interviewed about various aspects of P. operculella in relation to seed potato production, seed storage methods & challenges. Data were collected and analyzed using descriptive statistics. From field observation P. operculella infestation was recorded at potato harvest on Belete variety (F2, 47 at 0.05= 13.66, P< 0.000). P. operculella infestation was significantly different (F5, 47 at 0.05= 5.82, P< 0.000) among the study districts such that infestation was higher at Welmera and Ejere and lower at Jeldu in the middle storage period. There was significant difference P. operculella infestation among kebeles (F5, 47 at 0.05= 10.47, P< 0.000) and highest infestation was recorded at Goro, Choke and Eluaga kebeles near the next planting time. P. operculella is not an important pest at the study areas under field condition on rain fed potato production but, infestation that existed under field condition on Belete potato varieties. However, P. operculella is an economic pest under storage condition at the study sites though the infestation level varies with the type of storage structure and methods. More infestation was recorded in traditional storage methods, while potato tubers stored in DLS was less infested by p. operculella. Farmers and Developmental agents have little or no knowledge of P. operculella damage symptom and its importance in the potato production. Awareness creation and training should be given to farmers and developmental agents.
Key words: Phthorimaea operculella, field survey, storage, potatoes, knowledge gap
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Keywords
Phthorimaea Operculella, Field Survey, Storage, Potatoes, Knowledge Gap