Assessing smallholder rice farmers knowledge, perception and management practices about rice leaf scald disease (Rhynchospium oryzae) in Togo (West Africa)

Leaf scald is a rice disease whose damage can reach 30% of yield losses. For several years, Togolese producers in the central region have noted a resurgence of this disease in their rice fields. In this situation, a survey was conducted throughout the country to assess rice farmers level of knowledge perception and management practices of about of this disease. The data was randomly collected from 115 rice farmers in 25 prefectures out of a list of 39 in Togo. Using descriptive statistics, the results show that respondents who have more than 5 years of experience in rice growing (93%) acknowledge having seen the symptoms of the disease. In the lowlands, all producers recognized the symptoms and damage but do not know the name of the disease. As a cause and conditions aggravating leaf scald, producers (24%) listed drought, flooding and excessive use of fertilizers and herbicides. The damage according to producers is significant to very significant for 46% of producers. Concerning management method, respondents (21%) said they use fungicides, insecticides and ash, which methods remain (60%) ineffective. The contact with the agricultural technical services (34%) did not allow a solution to be found (58%). This survey highlighted the need to help Togolese producers to find effective solutions against rice leaf scald.