Association between Soil Acidity and Bacterial Wilt Occurrence in Potato Production in Ethiopia

Soil acidity is one of the main constraints to crop production worldwide. In Ethiopia, problem soil has been increasing. Currently, more than 40% cultivated land in country a pH < 5.5. Recently, bacterial wilt (caused by Ralstonia solanacearum) become serious problem, reaching epidemic levels some major potato growing districts country. However, it currently unknown if current outbreak associated with acidification or not. To examine association between and acidification, we conducted field survey experiments detected characterised R. solanacearum strains. The study showed that 50% fields were very strongly acidic (pH 4.5–5.0) incidence was higher low pH. indicated lime application significantly increased (p 0.001) reduced 0.001). applied, stronger positive effect on reduction incidence. Bacterial average 10.8% under 12 t/ha application, while about control plots (without lime) after 90 days. All strains isolated from symptomatic plants Phylotype II. Our findings show Ethiopia acidification. They add understanding risk factors for potato. Aside farm hygiene, sanitation cultural practices, addressing using needs be considered as an additional component integrated package deal conditions.