Assessment of Major Insect Pests and Diseases of Sesame (<i>Sesamum orientale</i> L) in West Gondar Zone, Ethiopia

Abstract

The field survey was conducted in four districts of western Gondar Zone during 2018 and 2019 cropping seasons at 3-5 km intervals with the objective of assessing and identifying major insect pests and diseases and their intensity on sesame. Data were collected using 0.25 m2 quadrate. Among insect pests, sesame webworm (86.2%) and aphid (86.2%) were the most prevalent and severe followed by thrips, mealybug, and gallmaige with a prevalence of 62.5%, 44.5% and 2.25%, respectively. The prevalence of webworm was 100% in West Armachiho district. Only altitude and growth stage were significantly associated with the intensity of insect pests. Bacterial blight, Cercospora leaf spot, wilt, and phyllody were identified with different levels of intensity across districts. The highest mean prevalence of bacterial blight (88.5%) and Cercospora leaf spot (90.4%) were recorded at Metema and Tegede districts, respectively. The association of independent variables varies with the intensity of sesame diseases. Variables such as altitude, variety, the growth stage of the crop and previous crop were significantly associated with bacterial blight, Cercospora leaf spot, and wilt severity. Therefore, management options should be developed for those most prevalent
and severe insect pests and diseases in the future.