Review on Major Biotic Threats to Crop Production and Food Security in Southern Ethiopia: Diseases, Pests and Parasitic Weeds

In southern Ethiopia's Ari, South Omo, and Konso, agriculture is gravely limited by a suite of biotic stresses augmented by climatic variability. These stresses pose a significant threat to regional food security and poor smallholder farmer livelihoods. Among the key diseases, Trichometasphaeria turcica infects up to 70% of maize in Ari and Fusarium graminearum infects approximately 45% of maize in Konso. Enset farming is also highly prone to different pathogenic infections. Insect pests like the African armyworm (Spodoptera exempta) and cutworms inflict massive damage on cereals and legumes throughout the zones. Post-harvest losses are immense, with grains within traditional bamboo granaries in Kena (Konso) not being safeguarded against infestation. Parasitic weeds like Striga and Cuscuta also cause complete crop failure in heavily infested fields with cereals and legumes. These issues bring out the imperative need for a comprehensive management approach that addresses weeds, diseases, and pests. Implementation of these approaches depends on the enhancement of farmers' knowledge and having adequate management inputs.