Impact of fungicide applications for late blight management on huckleberry yields in Cameroon

The influence of late blight infections, caused by Phytophthora infestans, was evaluated on thirteen huckleberry (Solanum scabrum) varieties during the 2000 and 2001 cropping seasons in Dschang, Cameroon. A randomised split block design was used. Plants were sprayed four times with Ridomil Plus registered (12% metalaxyl + 60% cuprous oxide) at 2.5 kg ha-1 on a 21-day schedule while control plots were not sprayed. Late blight intensity was recorded weekly and fresh shoot yields were evaluated six times at 14-day intervals. Fungicide applications significantly reduced late blight intensity and consequently increased huckleberry yields. Cumulative shoot yields varied with the variety and fungicide treatment, from 54.14 to 238.33 t ha-1. Yield losses due to late blight infection were estimated at up to 46%. Economic analyses indicated that fungicide sprays are necessary for a late blight protection programme in huckleberry. This spray regime based on fungicide application resulted in net profits of US$ 694 to $ 8,467 ha-1, depending on the variety used and the trial period. The results show that late blight infections if not controlled, decrease huckleberry yields, and consequently net farm incomes. High yielding resistant varieties or foliar applications of Ridomil Plus registered may be incorporated in integrated pathogen management schemes against late blight in huckleberries with a view to minimise use of fungicides.