Prevalence and Management Practices of Faba Bean Gall (<i>Physoderma viciae</i>) in the Ethiopian Highlands

Faba bean (<i>Vicia faba</i> L.) is an important legume crop and is grown extensively in the Ethiopian highlands, 1,800 to 3,000 m.a.s.l. While this crop provides agronomic and effects and nutrition, production of faba beans is especially under threat from biotic stresses such as faba bean gall disease caused by <i>Physoderma viciae</i>. The present study investigated the distribution and traditional management of faba bean gall in the main production areas of the Ethiopian highlands. Researchers conducted field surveys in the sampled districts during the 2023/2024 major cropping season to assess disease severity and incidence as well as semi-structured interviews with farmers to obtain information on the traditional and modern management practices. Overall, faba bean gall disease, prevalence varied by altitude, host variety, and cropping management systems. Prevalence of disease was especially high in fields where faba beans were produced continuously and where there was no proper crop residue management. Farmers indicated that they attempted to combine traditional practices like crop rotation and fire clearing residues with very little use of resistant varieties. However most farmers did not integrate IDM in their management due to a lack of awareness and also low level of availability of resistant or tolerant cultivars. The research highlights the importance of extension services in promoting the IDM practices, such as use of certified seeds, crop rotation, and creating awareness, to lessen the incidence and impact of faba bean gall in the highland agro-ecosystem of Ethiopia.