D.P. Dhakal and B.R. Khadge
Plant pathology Division, Nepal Agricultural Research Council, Khumaltar, Lalitpur

DOI

ABSTRACT

This study is concerned about the survey and identification of major diseases of coffee and their infestation level in Syangja and KAVREPALANCHOK districts of Nepal. The study was carried out during September 2003 to August 2004. Key informant survey (KIS) and focus group discussion (FGD) along with field observations were carried out for this purpose. Twenty-three coffee orchard in Syangja and 20 orchards in Kavrepalanchok were observed thrice in different locations of each district covering low to high altitudes, small to big farmers, various geographical settings as well as all vulnerable stages of coffee plants from disease infestation point of view. Disease assessment on coffee plants were done in each selected orchards and disease samples were taken for identification. Based on the symptoms and isolated pathogens in the laboratory, the major diseases identified and confirmed were anthracnose (Collectotricum gloeosporioides Penz.), brown eye spot (cercospora coffeicola), damping off (Rhizoctonia solani) and wilt (Fusarium spp). Minor diseases like sooty mould and algal spots were also identified. Anthracnose was the most serious problem that affected leaves, twigs and berries of coffee plants. The fungus manifested three different disease conditions of coffee i.e. twig die back, stalk rot of berries and leaves and brown blight of leaves. All three conditions were found in many orchards. Brown eye spot was observed in many nurseries, particularly in poorly managed ones and in many young orchards. C. coffeicola also caused berry blotch, which was observed in many orchards.