Farmers perceptions of “danzazzalau”: disease affecting onions (Allium cepa L.) in Kebbi State, northwestern Nigeria

Abstract

A recurrent constraint to sustained production of onions in Kebbi State, northwestern Nigeria, has discouraged production by farmers. A study was conducted between June and July of 2015 in six Local Government Areas (L.G.As) of Kebbi State, namely Birnin Kebbi, Aliero, Jega, Maiyama, Shanga and Yauri to appraise perception of farmers on the occurrence and extent of devastation of the disease colloquially called “Danzazzalau” in Hausa Language. Structured questionnaires were administered to farmers at each of the seven communities visited per L.G.A. Responses derived from the Statistical Programme for Social Science (SPSS) package show that above 50% of the respondents from Aliero, Shanga, Yauri and Maiyama recalled a disease with similar symptoms that occurred within the last 10 years. According to 74.4% of respondents, initial symptoms were noticed early on 4 to 6 week old transplants. The disease is wide spread in Kebbi State with above 60% farmers from Aliero, Jega, Maiyama, Shanga and Yauri responded to have experienced ≥ 90% loss of crop. With infected stands, 47.10% of the farmers uproot affected stands 18.50% reduce frequency of watering while 14.3%, spray synthetic pesticides as management practices for the disease. The common symptoms described by the farmers for “Danzazzalau” include sudden leaf curl with dried leaf tip, which is similar to the symptoms of basal rot of onion.

Keywords: Kebbi State, “Danzazzalau”, perception, disease, onion, farmers