Bancy holds a PhD degree in Crop Protection obtained in September 2021 from University of Nairobi (UoN). She also holds MSc. in Horticulture (2011) from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) and BSc. Agriculture (2005) from UoN. Bancy is a research scientist at Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB)-Rwanda based in Horticulture Program since 2011 to date. She has conducted extensive research in her area of specialization including plant disease diagnosis and pest management in horticultural crops. Previously (2005-2009), Bancy worked on a project that focused on better understanding of Endophytic Fungi at cell and molecular level and using them to inoculate the tissue cultured bananas to make them resistant to weevils and nematode pests, based at JKUAT, Kenya. She has published several papers in refereed journals; presented in conferences, workshops and scientific meetings; won several awards and fellowships; has sourced and managed several research grants from local and international funding agencies; and is actively involved in community outreach
Abstract
Hot pepper (Capsicum spp.) is an important source of income, employment and foreign exchange in Rwanda. However, production of the crop is constrained by diseases and pests, mainly viruses and their vectors. This study was carried out to establish farmers’ perceptions and knowledge of viral diseases, to determine the prevalence of viruses associated with hot pepper, to screen hot pepper genotypes for reaction to viruses and aphids, and to evaluate the effect of companion crops on aphids and associated-viral diseases.
Farmers’ awareness of viral diseases varied significantly (χ2 = 20.116; p <0.001) across the agro-ecological zones (AEZs) as well as their knowledge on causes and management of the viral diseases (χ2 = 26.896; p = 0.003). Incidence of aphid-transmitted viruses {Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV), Potato virus Y (PVY), Pepper veinal mottle virus (PVMV)} did not differ significantly (χ2 =3.48; p = 0.176) across AEZs while for seed-borne viruses {Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) and Pepper mild mottle virus (PMMoV)} it differed significantly (χ2 =6.526; p = 0.038). CMV was the most prevalent identified in 48% of the samples. Out of the 18 genotypes evaluated, genotype 00767PPR, 0802PPR and PBC 462 were consistently resistant while genotype HP 0117, PP9852170 and PP99505197 were moderately resistant to viral diseases under field and screenhouse conditions. Application of live barriers in the form of border and intercrops was effective in reducing the incidence of aphid-transmitted-non-persistent viruses in hot pepper. This study provides important information for the development of sustainable integrated management strategies for aphids and virus diseases.
Important Links
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3413-0914
Research Supervisors
Dr Dora C. Kilalo – University of Nairobi, Kenya;
Prof Douglas W. Miano – University of Nairobi, Kenya;
Prof John W. Kimenju – University of Nairobi, Kenya;
Dr Placide Rukundo –Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board, Rwanda
