FIELD ASSESSMENT OF CASSAVA MOSAIC DISEASE AND CASSAVA BEGOMOVIRUSES DETECTION IN KEBBI STATE, NIGERIA

Cassava plays an important role in food security of Nigerians and land under its cultivation
had significantly increased but its productivity had significantly reduced as a result of
Cassava Mosaic Disease (CMD). This research was conducted to assess the current status
of CMD in cassava fields and to detect Begomoviruses causing the disease in Kebbi State.
Five Local Government Areas (LGAs) were purposely selected which were Argungu,
Augie, Birnin-Kebbi, Gwandu and Kalgo LGAs of Kebbi State. In each LGA, five cassava
fields were sampled given a total number of 25 cassava fields. In each field, 30 plants were
randomly assessed for CMD incidence and severity. Cassava leaf samples were collected
and analyzed for the presence of African cassava mosaic virus (ACMV) and East African
cassava mosaic virus (EACMV) using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). The results
revealed that CMD incidence was higher in Augie (59.9%), followed by Argungu (56%)
while Birnin-Kebbi had the lowest CMD incidence (46.67%). The disease severity was
also higher in Augie (2.85%) while Kalgo had the lowest CMD severity (2.24%). PCR
results revealed the presence of ACMV in five LGAs. Argungu had 41.67% incidence of
ACMV followed by Birnin-Kebbi (33.33%) and Kalgo had the least (3.33%). EACMV
was detected only in Argungu (16.67%), Gwandu (14.29%) and Augie having the least
(11.11%). The Findings of this research, revealed the current status of ACMV and
EACMV in Kebbi State. The research recommended the use of disease-free cuttings as
planting materials, rogueing of the infested cassava plant and use of resistant cassava
variety for optimum cassava production in the study.