This book represents a compilation of the current knowledge of various aspects of coffee wilt disease (CWD) including information about the pathogen and its management. It covers the status of CWD in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, Ethiopia and Tanzania; the socio-economic impact of CWD; the biology, taxonomy and epidemiology of the CWD pathogen Gibberella xylarioides sensu lato; the host-pathogen interactions in Coffea-G. xylarioides pathosystem; management of CWD; breeding for resistance against CWD; and extension approaches and information dissemination for CWD management in Africa (with emphasis on experiences from Ethiopia).

In the early 20th century, coffee wilt disease (CWD) caused by the vascular wilt pathogen, Fusarium xylarioides, spread across Africa destroying coffee trees, reducing yields and significantly impacting producer livelihoods. Through systematic sanitation and establishment of breeding programmes in affected countries, CWD appeared to decline. However, the disease re-emerged and increased to epidemic proportions in the 1990s affecting robusta coffee in DRC, Uganda and Tanzania and arabica coffee in Ethiopia. In 1999, 14.5 million robusta coffee trees were estimated to have been destroyed in Uganda alone. This chapter discusses the history, impact, symptoms, cause and spread of CWD. A summary of the Regional Coffee Wilt Programme (RCWP) which examined many aspects of the disease and its management is also provided. Future research trends include host specificity, underlying resistance mechanisms and the role of alternative hosts. Investigation of pathogen ecology is needed to allow greater focus on agroecological management practices.

Current recommendations for containment of coffee wilt disease in Uganda: A tetter to farmers; Background and importance of CWD in Uganda; The Coffee Wilt Disease, a literature Review; Responses of robusta clones and arabica varieties to coffee wilt disease under laboratory and screen house conditions; The effect of uprooting and burning affected plants on further spread of coffee wilt disease; Screening robusta coffee germplasm for resistance against coffee wilt disease; The susceptibility of elite arabica coffee germplasm to coffee wilt in Uganda; Yeld and quality performance of new arabica coffee introductions under Ugandan condition.

Price collapse and oversupply have made coffee a high-profile crop in recent years: never has efficient production and crop protection been more important for reducing costs and increasing quality. Packed with illustrations, this book covers the origins, botany, agroecology and worldwide production statistics of coffee, and the insect pests, plant pathogens, nematodes and nutrient deficiencies that afflict it. With emphasis on integrated crop management, this book reviews control measures suitable for any coffee pest or disease and will enable agriculturists to design and implement sustainable pest management systems.