Distribution and Importance of Sorghum Anthracnose (Colletotrichum sublineolum) in Southwestern and Western Ethiopia

Background: Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L., Moench) is the 5th most important food crop in the world. But its production in Ethiopia is adversely affected by different biotic and abiotic constraints among which sorghum anthracnose caused by Colletotrichum sublineolum is the major one. Methodology: In this perspective, it is imperative to assess the distribution and severity of sorghum anthracnose along varying agro-ecologies of Southwestern and Western Ethiopia. A total of 117 sorghum farms in 15 districts of 5 administrative zones within two regional states were assessed. Results: The disease was found to be widely distributed in all sorghum growing regions of the surveyed areas with 100% incidence. The severity of sorghum anthracnose varied significantly (p<0.001) among the 15 districts. The highest severity index of about 87.3 was recorded in Nejo while the lowest severity of about 59.5 was estimated in Leka Dulecha district. The disease was strongly influenced by altitudinal gradients, cropping system and weed management practices. Isolates of C. sublineolum collected from different areas showed variations in both cultural characteristics and conidia morphology, though all of them were pathogenic to sorghum but not to maize plants. Conclusion: Since, sorghum anthracnose is highly prevalent and very severe in all regions of Southwestern and Western parts of Ethiopia, giving due attention in developing effective management strategy is critical.