Abstract:
Head smudge of tef caused by Helminthosporiummiyakei is among the most economically
important disease causing significant economic losses of yield and quality.To investigate the
distribution of this disease in belg (short rainy) and main (long rainy) seasons in Oromia and
SNNP regions, disease assessment survey was conducted in 2019 main season and 2020 belg
season from September 25 to May 22-25 G. C. Tef fields were randomly selected at 5-10 km
intervals along accessible routes. The result showed head smudge prevalence and intensity varied
across locations within the zone and among districts. From a total of forty-two fields surveyed
during main and belg seasons (twenty three fields during the main season and ninteen fields
during belg season) were assessed. Quncho was the most prevalent 34.78% and followed by
Magna having the prevalence of 26.1% during the main season. Of the assessed areas, the
highest incidence was observed in Sokoru districts of Jimma and Wondogenet of West Arsi Zone
accounting for about 100% and with the mean severity value of 97%. The highest mean value of
incidence was recorded on varieties Tesfa and Quncho with the mean value of 100 and 83.33%
followed by local tef variety (80%) during the main cropping season, respectively. During Belg
season survey, Boset was the most prevalent accounting for about 68.4% of the assessed areas
and followed by Magna variety with the prevalence of 15.79% of the area assessed areas. Efforts
should be made towards the integration of multiple disease control options. Varietal
diversification is also another issue to minimize the effect of this disease. This study indicates
that there was no use of fungicide to control this disease. Currently, the disease was becoming
severe, and using fungicide may be an option to control this disease. The other issue is the
screening of germplasm to this disease and selecting that tolerant or resistant line (s) and
incorporating in the breeding program will also another option to control this disease in the
future.
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