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.
