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FACTSHEETS FOR FARMERS
www.plantwise.org

Created in

Kenya

,

September

2011

Coffee wilt disease

Recognize the problem

Coffee wilt disease can kill coffee plants. At first, the leaves of affected plants

become yellow, wilt, shrivel and fall off. The disease causes blue-black staining

of the wood below the bark "

ganda

". Finally, the tree loses all leaves and dies.

Background

Coffee wilt disease is caused by a fungus which spreads quickly within the tree.

It will also spread from diseased trees to healthy trees in planting material,

water, soil and on tools and shoes. The fungus can survive for a long time in

coffee material and soil. Heat and disinfectant will kill the fungus on tools and

shoes. Arabica coffee, including the varieties Batian and Ruiru 11, are resistant

to the disease.

Management



There is no cure for coffee wilt disease.



When working on the farm, inspect trees often for symptoms of the

disease.



If you think a tree has the disease, scratch off some bark from the base

of the tree. Check for blue-black staining of the wood.



If the wood is stained, cut the tree down near the base. If possible, also

remove all roots from the soil.



Do not move parts of the tree to other areas of the farm.



If the tree is dry, destroy the plant parts by burning in a fire.



When the tree is burning, heat the tools in fire or wash them with

disinfectant. Wash hands in soap and water immediately afterwards.



If the tree is not dry, leave it to dry for several days and then burn.



Before walking away from the diseased tree, disinfect footwear by

washing boots or shoes with a mix of half water and half bleach. If you

have mixed a sprayer with fungicide, you can also spray your boots to

avoid spreading the disease.



Replant with Arabica coffee. Otherwise, replant with an alternative crop

or leave the area fallow for at least one year.

Scientific name(s)

>

Gibberella xylarioides

The recommendations in this factsheet are relevant to

:

Ghana, Kenya

Authors

:

Mike Rutherford, Eduardo Hidalgo, Abdul Rehman

CABI

tel:

+44 (0)1491 829061

email:m.rutherford@cabi.org

Edited by

Plantwise

Plantwise is a global initiative led by CABI

KE010En

Lose Less, Feed More

Cut down and burn coffee trees

with coffee wilt disease.

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