Blights of Coco-yam (Colocasia esculentus) and Potato (Solanum tuberosum) on the Jos Plateau: A Threat to Food Security

The Taro leaf blight of cocoyam and the early/late blights of potato which occurred on the Jos Plateau in recent times and their impact on the socioeconomic situation of the area have not been thoroughly assessed. The study tried to evaluate the problem from the perspective of be available research done on the problem elsewhere and exploring possible areas of employing helpful practices for the rural farmers. Some of these practices include selection of tolerant cultivars of the two crops (cocoyam and potato), early or late planting to avoid period of very high humidity, the use of wood ash and spray some botanicals as extracts of Hyptis sauveolens, neem (Azadirachta indica) and Eucalyptus spp. Spraying with effective fungicides should be more frequent and at increased concentrations as well as some cultural practices such as intercropping, adequate field sanitation and increased fertilizer rates. More permanent solutions like breeding for blight resistance, the use of biotechnology to improve the crop plants blight resistance and tolerance can emerge with further research efforts.