Cassava virus diseases and their control with special reference to southern Tanzania

Cassava is a major smallholder crop in much of Africa where it is attacked by two main virus diseases. African cassava mosaic disease (ACMD) occurs almost everywhere that the crop is grown causing severe losses in some countries. Cassava brown streak disease (CBSD) is of more restricted distribution being prevalent mainly on the east African coast and shores of Lake Malawi. Although both diseases have been known for many decades and much is known about ACMD, the aetiology and epidemiology of CBSD remain poorly understood. Control measures for African cassava mosaic virus (ACMV) have been recommended and in some cases implemented in a number of countries. Resistant varieties have been developed and national research programmes and international agencies are supporting phytosanitation programmes, based mainly on the distribution of ACMV-free planting material. It may be possible to use the same control measures against CBSD but the lack of basic information on the disease and difficulties of disease diagnosis are obstacles to the design of control strategies. ACMD is found in most areas where CBSD occurs and control measures must con sider the disease complex. This paper reviews the current knowledge about the two diseases in the context of possible integrated control