A Survey on Common Horticultural Diseases in Matabeleland South and Bulawayo Metropolitan Provinces of Zimbabwe

In many farming communities across Zimbabwe, plant diseases often go unnoticed and unmanaged due to limited farmer knowledge and a shortage of skilled government agricultural extension officers. This study investigated the prevalence and management of horticultural crop diseases in Matabeleland South and Bulawayo Metropolitan Provinces through a questionnaire survey conducted in 2024 and 2025. A stratified random sampling design, incorporating Probability Proportional to Size (PPS) sampling, was used to select 300 farmers, ensuring adequate statistical power to assess variations in knowledge, perceptions, and practices. Although most farmers could recognize disease symptoms, significant knowledge gaps were observed in accurate diagnosis and effective disease management. A total of 11 horticultural diseases were identified in the study areas. The majority of farmers (69%) relied on chemical applications for disease control, while 26.3% practiced roguing of infected plants. Only 2% adjusted irrigation frequency as a control measure. Notably, 57% expressed a preference for chemical disease control. A Pearson Chi-Square test revealed no significant association between farmers’ education levels and their ability to identify plant diseases (χ² = 5.08, df = 6, p = 0.53). This suggests that misdiagnosis and inappropriate use of fungicides, bactericides, viricides, and nematicides are common. There is need to deploy and adequately equip trained extension officers in both rural and urban farming communities. Regular disease surveillance, including field scouting and early detection systems, is also critical to identifying emerging threats and supporting timely, effective disease management.