Occurrence, Farmer’s knowledge and Current Management Practices of Alternaria Leaf Spot in Kales, Kiambu county, Kenya

Alternaria Leaf Spot (ALS) significantly impacts kale production in Kenya, with high-quality and quantity losses reported in Kiambu County. This study assessed ALS occurrence, farmers' knowledge, and management practices in the Githunguri and Lari sub-counties. Data on demographics, farm characteristics, ALS incidence, and management were collected. Results showed ALS prevalence in 82% of fields, with 42.2% of farmers indicating it affects all growth stages. Most farmers (60% in Githunguri and 54% in Lari) relied on synthetic fungicides for control, yet 35.6% in Githunguri and 40% in Lari found them less effective. Multinomial logistic regression revealed that household head age, disease incidence, and total farm size were significant negative predictors of farmers' knowledge about ALS. Conversely, factors like the number of farming seasons per year, years of kale farming experience, training reception, and household members involved in farming positively influenced knowledge levels. The study concludes that while ALS is prevalent, reliance on chemical fungicides is common despite reported ineffectiveness, possibly due to improper use. Enhancing farmers' knowledge is essential for sustainable ALS management.