Distribution and Severity of Coffee Pests and Diseases in Central Uganda

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the incidence and severity of coffee pests and diseases and any relationships between them. Five coffee producing districts in Uganda, namely, Masaka, Mubende, Mpigi, Kayunga and Luwero were selected. 10 coffee farms were evaluated per district. Pest and disease incidence were determined as the percentage of trees with the disease or pest. Disease severity was evaluated on a 1-5 scale while pest damage was expressed as a percentage of tissue damaged. Results showed significant differences in incidence and damage/severity among all the major pests and diseases in the region except foliage beetles. The most damaging pest was the BCTB with an incidence between 15% and 26%. The next most damaging pests were the tailed caterpillars and Skeletonisers, both lepidoptera with incidence of 20.4% and 16% respectively. The most severe disease was Red blister (Cercospora coffeicola) with a severity score 2.0 and incidence 51.6%. No novel pests or diseases were discovered. Further studies are recommended to understand factors proliferating the pests and diseases.