An overview of cassava mosaic disease and its implications for the productivity of cassava in Sierra Leone.

Abstract

Abstract This paper provides current information on the importance of cassava, characteristics of cassava farms, distribution of cassava mosaic disease (CMD), management practices and potential of resistant varieties to mitigate against the effects of CMD in Sierra Leone. There is a high prevalence of African cassava mosaic virus in Sierra Leone and East African cassava mosaic virus has also been detected recently. Improvement in the deployment of CMD-resistant varieties has had a positive effect of increasing the area under cultivation of improved varieties. Much has to be done in the area of early detection and diagnosis for the management of CMD. More effort must be placed on the breeding of cassava genotypes that meet the food, traditional and cultural needs of farmers as well as the industrial needs for commercialization.