Enset Xanthomonas Wilt in Ari Zone, Southern Ethiopia: Epidemiology, Disease Risk Factors, Food-Security Impacts, and Integrated Management Strategies—A Review

Daniel Abebe

doi:doi:10.11648/j.scif.20260205.12

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Enset Xanthomonas Wilt in Ari Zone, Southern Ethiopia: Epidemiology, Disease Risk Factors, Food-Security Impacts, and Integrated Management Strategies—A Review

Daniel Abebe^*

Published in Science Futures (Volume 2, Issue 5)

Received: 2 September 2026 Accepted: 11 September 2026 Published: 27 September 2026

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Abstract

Enset (Ensete ventricosum) is a vital food-security and livelihood crop in southern Ethiopia, supporting household food availability, livestock feeding, income generation, and resilience to food shortages. However, production is increasingly threatened by Xanthomonas wilt, a destructive bacterial disease caused by Xanthomonas vasicola PV. musacearum, characterized by rapid leaf yellowing, wilting, vascular discoloration, and eventual plant death. This review synthesizes available evidence on the epidemiology, distribution, risk factors, food-security impacts, and integrated management of enset Xanthomonas wilt in Ari Zone, southern Ethiopia. The disease is driven by interactions among pathogen, host, environment, and farming practices. Key risk factors include infected planting materials, contaminated cutting tools, movement of diseased plant residues, close plant spacing, and poor field sanitation. The disease reduces enset stands, destroys mature plants, increases production costs, and limits the availability of planting materials, thereby threatening household food supplies and farmer livelihoods. Effective management requires an integrated approach combining healthy planting materials, early detection, removal and destruction of infected plants, tool sanitation, restricted movement of planting materials, improved field hygiene, farmer awareness, and community-based disease surveillance. Further research is needed to identify resistant or tolerant landraces and to develop locally appropriate management strategies for Ari Zone.

Published in	Science Futures (Volume 2, Issue 5)
DOI	10.11648/j.scif.20260205.12
Page(s)	252-260
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2026. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Enset (Ensete ventricosum), Xanthomonas Wilt, Xanthomonas vasicola pv. musacearum, Disease Management, Ari Zone

References

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[2]	Borrell JS, Goodwin M, Blomme G, Jacobsen K, Wendawek AM, Gashu D, et al. Enset-based agricultural systems in Ethiopia: a systematic review of production trends, agronomy, processing and the wider food security applications of a neglected banana relative. Plants, People, Planet. 2020; 2: 212–228. https://doi.org/10.1002/ppp3.10084
[3]	Blomme G, Kearsley E, Buta S, Chala A, Kebede R, Addis T, Yemataw Z. Xanthomonas wilt of enset in Ethiopia: geographical spread, impact on production systems and the effect of training on disease management practices. African Journal of Agricultural Research. 2023; 19(1): 33–47. https://doi.org/10.5897/AJAR2022.16243
[4]	Welde-Michael G, Bobosha K, Addis T, Blomme G, Mekonnen S, Mengesha T. Mechanical transmission and survival of bacterial wilt on enset. African Crop Science Journal. 2008; 16(1): 97–102. https://doi.org/10.4314/acsj.v16i1.54349
[5]	Yemataw Z, Mekonen A, Chala A, Tesfaye K, Mekonen K, Studholme DJ, et al. Farmers' knowledge and perception of enset Xanthomonas wilt in southern Ethiopia. Agriculture & Food Security. 2017; 6: 62. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40066-017-0146-0
[6]	Kibatu B, et al. Experimental confirmation of the leafhopper Cicadella cosmopolita as a potential vector of Xanthomonas vasicola pv. musacearum of enset in Ethiopia. European Journal of Plant Pathology. 2025. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10658-025-03174-2
[7]	Bamud K, Shikur E, Handoro F. Assessment of the distribution of enset bacterial wilt disease (Xanthomonas campestris pv. musacearum) in South Omo Zone, Southern Ethiopia. Advances in Crop Science and Technology. 2023; 11(4): 566. https://doi.org/10.4172/2329-8863.1000566
[8]	Sahle M, Yeshitela K, Saito O. Mapping the supply and demand of enset crop to improve food security in Southern Ethiopia. Agronomy for Sustainable Development. 2018; 38. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13593-017-0484-0
[9]	Abrar S, Kenea FT, Tolessa S. Assessment and evaluation of enset landraces to bacterial wilt (Xanthomonas campestris pv. musacearum) disease of enset at Gedio Zone, Southern Ethiopia. Journal of Science and Development. 2022. https://doi.org/10.20372/v5bkd609
[10]	Bamud K, Shikur E, Handoro F. Assessment on farmers' enset bacterial wilt management practices in South Omo Zone, Ethiopia. Research & Reviews: Journal of Herbal Science. 2022; 11(3).
[11]	Blomme G, Dita M, Jacobsen KS, Pérez Vicente L, Molina A, Ocimati W, Poussier S, Prior P. Bacterial diseases of bananas and enset: current state of knowledge and integrated approaches toward sustainable management. Frontiers in Plant Science. 2017; 8: 1290. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2017.01290
[12]	Addis T, Turyagyenda LF, Alemu T, Karamura E, Blomme G. Garden tool transmission of Xanthomonas campestris pv. musacearum on banana (Musa spp.) and enset in Ethiopia. Acta Horticulturae. 2010; 879: 367–372. https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2010.879.39
[13]	Ocimati W, Blomme G, Ssekiwoko F, Karamura E, Ragama P. The timing and role of insect vectors in the spread of Xanthomonas campestris pv. musacearum on banana. African Crop Science Journal. 2013; 21: 111–121.
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APA Style

Abebe, D. (2026). Enset Xanthomonas Wilt in Ari Zone, Southern Ethiopia: Epidemiology, Disease Risk Factors, Food-Security Impacts, and Integrated Management Strategies—A Review. Science Futures, 2(5), 252-260. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.scif.20260205.12

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ACS Style

Abebe, D. Enset Xanthomonas Wilt in Ari Zone, Southern Ethiopia: Epidemiology, Disease Risk Factors, Food-Security Impacts, and Integrated Management Strategies—A Review. Sci. Futures 2026, 2(5), 252-260. doi: 10.11648/j.scif.20260205.12

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AMA Style

Abebe D. Enset Xanthomonas Wilt in Ari Zone, Southern Ethiopia: Epidemiology, Disease Risk Factors, Food-Security Impacts, and Integrated Management Strategies—A Review. Sci Futures. 2026;2(5):252-260. doi: 10.11648/j.scif.20260205.12

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@article{10.11648/j.scif.20260205.12,
  author = {Daniel Abebe},
  title = {Enset Xanthomonas Wilt in Ari Zone, Southern Ethiopia: Epidemiology, Disease Risk Factors, Food-Security Impacts, and Integrated Management Strategies—A Review},
  journal = {Science Futures},
  volume = {2},
  number = {5},
  pages = {252-260},
  doi = {10.11648/j.scif.20260205.12},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.scif.20260205.12},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.scif.20260205.12},
  abstract = {Enset (Ensete ventricosum) is a vital food-security and livelihood crop in southern Ethiopia, supporting household food availability, livestock feeding, income generation, and resilience to food shortages. However, production is increasingly threatened by Xanthomonas wilt, a destructive bacterial disease caused by Xanthomonas vasicola PV. musacearum, characterized by rapid leaf yellowing, wilting, vascular discoloration, and eventual plant death. This review synthesizes available evidence on the epidemiology, distribution, risk factors, food-security impacts, and integrated management of enset Xanthomonas wilt in Ari Zone, southern Ethiopia. The disease is driven by interactions among pathogen, host, environment, and farming practices. Key risk factors include infected planting materials, contaminated cutting tools, movement of diseased plant residues, close plant spacing, and poor field sanitation. The disease reduces enset stands, destroys mature plants, increases production costs, and limits the availability of planting materials, thereby threatening household food supplies and farmer livelihoods. Effective management requires an integrated approach combining healthy planting materials, early detection, removal and destruction of infected plants, tool sanitation, restricted movement of planting materials, improved field hygiene, farmer awareness, and community-based disease surveillance. Further research is needed to identify resistant or tolerant landraces and to develop locally appropriate management strategies for Ari Zone.},
 year = {2026}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Enset Xanthomonas Wilt in Ari Zone, Southern Ethiopia: Epidemiology, Disease Risk Factors, Food-Security Impacts, and Integrated Management Strategies—A Review
AU  - Daniel Abebe
Y1  - 2026/09/27
PY  - 2026
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.scif.20260205.12
DO  - 10.11648/j.scif.20260205.12
T2  - Science Futures
JF  - Science Futures
JO  - Science Futures
SP  - 252
EP  - 260
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 3070-6289
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.scif.20260205.12
AB  - Enset (Ensete ventricosum) is a vital food-security and livelihood crop in southern Ethiopia, supporting household food availability, livestock feeding, income generation, and resilience to food shortages. However, production is increasingly threatened by Xanthomonas wilt, a destructive bacterial disease caused by Xanthomonas vasicola PV. musacearum, characterized by rapid leaf yellowing, wilting, vascular discoloration, and eventual plant death. This review synthesizes available evidence on the epidemiology, distribution, risk factors, food-security impacts, and integrated management of enset Xanthomonas wilt in Ari Zone, southern Ethiopia. The disease is driven by interactions among pathogen, host, environment, and farming practices. Key risk factors include infected planting materials, contaminated cutting tools, movement of diseased plant residues, close plant spacing, and poor field sanitation. The disease reduces enset stands, destroys mature plants, increases production costs, and limits the availability of planting materials, thereby threatening household food supplies and farmer livelihoods. Effective management requires an integrated approach combining healthy planting materials, early detection, removal and destruction of infected plants, tool sanitation, restricted movement of planting materials, improved field hygiene, farmer awareness, and community-based disease surveillance. Further research is needed to identify resistant or tolerant landraces and to develop locally appropriate management strategies for Ari Zone.
VL  - 2
IS  - 5
ER  -

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Author Information

Daniel Abebe

Department of Plant Science, Jinka University, Jinka, Ethiopia

Contact Email

http://orcid.org/0009-0007-2851-5099

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Plain Text BibTeX RIS

APA Style

Abebe, D. (2026). Enset Xanthomonas Wilt in Ari Zone, Southern Ethiopia: Epidemiology, Disease Risk Factors, Food-Security Impacts, and Integrated Management Strategies—A Review. Science Futures, 2(5), 252-260. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.scif.20260205.12

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ACS Style

Abebe, D. Enset Xanthomonas Wilt in Ari Zone, Southern Ethiopia: Epidemiology, Disease Risk Factors, Food-Security Impacts, and Integrated Management Strategies—A Review. Sci. Futures 2026, 2(5), 252-260. doi: 10.11648/j.scif.20260205.12

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AMA Style

Abebe D. Enset Xanthomonas Wilt in Ari Zone, Southern Ethiopia: Epidemiology, Disease Risk Factors, Food-Security Impacts, and Integrated Management Strategies—A Review. Sci Futures. 2026;2(5):252-260. doi: 10.11648/j.scif.20260205.12

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.scif.20260205.12,
  author = {Daniel Abebe},
  title = {Enset Xanthomonas Wilt in Ari Zone, Southern Ethiopia: Epidemiology, Disease Risk Factors, Food-Security Impacts, and Integrated Management Strategies—A Review},
  journal = {Science Futures},
  volume = {2},
  number = {5},
  pages = {252-260},
  doi = {10.11648/j.scif.20260205.12},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.scif.20260205.12},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.scif.20260205.12},
  abstract = {Enset (Ensete ventricosum) is a vital food-security and livelihood crop in southern Ethiopia, supporting household food availability, livestock feeding, income generation, and resilience to food shortages. However, production is increasingly threatened by Xanthomonas wilt, a destructive bacterial disease caused by Xanthomonas vasicola PV. musacearum, characterized by rapid leaf yellowing, wilting, vascular discoloration, and eventual plant death. This review synthesizes available evidence on the epidemiology, distribution, risk factors, food-security impacts, and integrated management of enset Xanthomonas wilt in Ari Zone, southern Ethiopia. The disease is driven by interactions among pathogen, host, environment, and farming practices. Key risk factors include infected planting materials, contaminated cutting tools, movement of diseased plant residues, close plant spacing, and poor field sanitation. The disease reduces enset stands, destroys mature plants, increases production costs, and limits the availability of planting materials, thereby threatening household food supplies and farmer livelihoods. Effective management requires an integrated approach combining healthy planting materials, early detection, removal and destruction of infected plants, tool sanitation, restricted movement of planting materials, improved field hygiene, farmer awareness, and community-based disease surveillance. Further research is needed to identify resistant or tolerant landraces and to develop locally appropriate management strategies for Ari Zone.},
 year = {2026}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Enset Xanthomonas Wilt in Ari Zone, Southern Ethiopia: Epidemiology, Disease Risk Factors, Food-Security Impacts, and Integrated Management Strategies—A Review
AU  - Daniel Abebe
Y1  - 2026/09/27
PY  - 2026
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.scif.20260205.12
DO  - 10.11648/j.scif.20260205.12
T2  - Science Futures
JF  - Science Futures
JO  - Science Futures
SP  - 252
EP  - 260
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 3070-6289
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.scif.20260205.12
AB  - Enset (Ensete ventricosum) is a vital food-security and livelihood crop in southern Ethiopia, supporting household food availability, livestock feeding, income generation, and resilience to food shortages. However, production is increasingly threatened by Xanthomonas wilt, a destructive bacterial disease caused by Xanthomonas vasicola PV. musacearum, characterized by rapid leaf yellowing, wilting, vascular discoloration, and eventual plant death. This review synthesizes available evidence on the epidemiology, distribution, risk factors, food-security impacts, and integrated management of enset Xanthomonas wilt in Ari Zone, southern Ethiopia. The disease is driven by interactions among pathogen, host, environment, and farming practices. Key risk factors include infected planting materials, contaminated cutting tools, movement of diseased plant residues, close plant spacing, and poor field sanitation. The disease reduces enset stands, destroys mature plants, increases production costs, and limits the availability of planting materials, thereby threatening household food supplies and farmer livelihoods. Effective management requires an integrated approach combining healthy planting materials, early detection, removal and destruction of infected plants, tool sanitation, restricted movement of planting materials, improved field hygiene, farmer awareness, and community-based disease surveillance. Further research is needed to identify resistant or tolerant landraces and to develop locally appropriate management strategies for Ari Zone.
VL  - 2
IS  - 5
ER  -

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