Leaf blight caused by Phytophthora colocasiae poses a significant threat to taro production in the
Sudanian climatic zone of Burkina Faso. This study aims to assess producers' knowledge about the
disease, its consequences, and field management practices. An ethnobotanical survey was conducted
among taro producers between June and July 2021. Data were collected using a semi-structured
questionnaire and analyzed through descriptive statistics, frequency calculations, relative citation
frequencies (RCF), and Spearman correlation. The results revealed that the major constraint faced by
producers is Taro Leaf Blight. Although surveyed producers have good knowledge of the symptoms
(RCF=79.67%), they have limited knowledge about the source of infestation, dissemination factors, and
none of them associate it with a pathogen. Consequences of the disease on the plant include a
decrease in corm yield and its denaturation. In terms of local livelihoods, the disease leads to food
insecurity, poverty, and indebtedness of producers. Furthermore, the respondents are not aware of any
effective control methods for the disease. The study highlights the real threat that the disease poses to
taro production in the Sudanian climatic zone of Burkina Faso, emphasizing the urgency of developing
an integrated control strategy.

Food security taro leaf blight endogenous knowledge Phytophtora colocasiae