Tomato Early Blight and its Management in sub-Saharan Africa

Early blight (EB) and related diseases are caused by various Alternaria species and pose a serious threat to global tomato production. In sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), EB remains largely underreported and poorly characterized. Limited field surveys and molecular studies have hindered understanding of the pathogen's diversity, epidemiology, and local impact. While some countries have observed EB outbreaks, few have consistently monitored the disease or adapted management practices accordingly. Heavy reliance on synthetic fungicides, despite rising resistance in Alternaria populations, has yielded limited success and may exacerbate environmental risks. Moreover, integrated disease management approaches are often lacking or inconsistently applied. This review synthesizes existing data on EB in SSA, highlights critical research gaps, and outlines the need for coordinated surveillance, pathogen characterization, and sustainable control strategies. Addressing these issues is essential to improving tomato resilience in SSA and mitigating broader implications for safeguarding tomato production in the region.