FARMERS’ AWARENESS OF VIRUS SYMPTOMS AND ASSOCIATED DAMAGE ON THREE FRUIT VEGETABLE CROPS GROWN IN TWO STATES OF SOUTHWEST NIGERIA

Abstract

The study assessed farmers’ awareness of viral disease symptoms and associated levels of severity on Pepper  (Capsicum spp.), Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) and Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench). Structured  questionnaire was used to collect data from 94 farmers in Oyo and Ogun states in southwestern Nigeria. Responses  were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Of the respondents, the average age of married male farmers was 46 years  (46.48±11.43) and 43.6% had secondary education. Pepper (cv. Rodo) was cultivated by 42.5% of respondents followed by okra (landrace) (37.2%), and tomato (cv. Beske) (29.4%). For pepper and tomato, most farmers observed  leaf curl symptoms (73.4 and 72.3%, respectively) while leaf deformation symptom (36.2%) was observed in okra.  Farmers observed damage such as reduction in yield (74.5%); reduction in number of leaves and fruit size (70.2%)  and reduction in fruit size and yield (41.5%) for pepper, tomato and okra, respectively. Damage caused on these  vegetables due to viral infection has led to reduction in family income (94.8%). The farmers made attempts to control  the symptoms observed by spraying with chemicals; only 1% dispose the infected plants by burying. This study  concludes that the farmers recognized virus disease symptoms on the selected vegetables, admitted that infection leads  to yield losses and attempted some control measures, though inappropriate. Thus, farmers should be sensitized on the  proper measures for controlling viral infections on the selected vegetable crops.