Abstract:
Alternaria sesami infection in sesame seed samples collected from farmers in Busia, Kakamega and Siaya
districts of Kenya was detected by oat meal agar method. Infection levels in seed samples varied from
8.96% in Kakamega to 24.20% in Siaya with an infection level of 11.69% at Busia. Alternaria leaf spot was
monitored in plots having six seedborne infection levels (0-8%) to determine the effect of transmission of
the fungus by seed on disease severity. Increase in percent leaf area blighted and percent defoliation fitted
the Gompertz model more closely than the logistic model. Rates of disease increase in blighted leaf areas
and defoliation as well as areas under disease progress curves (AUDPC) varied among the six infection
levels. Seed inocula levels with larger AUDPC generally had faster rates of disease progress. Disease was
most severe on plants from seeds with highest infection level of 8% and least on plants from seeds with no
infection. Severity of the disease increased with increase in seed infection.
