Effect of Time of Harvesting and Disease Resistance in Reducing Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) Yield Losses by Two Viral Diseases

Midatharahally N Maruthi

doi:10.31031/mcda.2020.06.000628

Abstract

Cassava mosaic disease (CMD) and cassava brown streak disease (CBSD) are two important biotic constraints for cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) production in Eastern and Southern Africa. CMD causes a general decline in yield in affected plants of susceptible cassava varieties but CBSD causes rotting of edible roots.

Highlights

Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) roots are an important staple food in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) providing daily source of carbohydrates for over 450 million [1,2]
Cassava mosaic disease (CMD) causes a general decline in yield in affected plants of susceptible cassava varieties but cassava brown streak disease (CBSD) causes rotting of edible roots
The field trial was established in February 2014 in the CMD and CBSD hot spot research fields of the Tanzania Agricultural Research Institute (TARI)-Naliendele in the Mtwara region of southern Tanzania

Summary

Introduction

Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) roots are an important staple food in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) providing daily source of carbohydrates for over 450 million [1,2]. Subsistence farmers rely on cassava as a vital source of energy since it can be harvested throughout the year. The average cassava yield in East and Southern Africa has, remained low since the 1990s, rarely exceeding 10.0t/ha, which is far below the estimated yield potential of 50-60t/ha [4,5]. The biotic stresses: cassava mosaic disease (CMD) and cassava brown streak disease (CBSD) have greatly contributed to low cassava productivity in SSA [6,7,8]

Methods

Findings

Discussion

Conclusion