MOLECULAR DETECTION OF AFRICAN CASSAVA MOSAIC VIRUS (ACMV) AND EAST AFRICAN CASSAVA MOSAIC VIRUS (EACMV) IN NORTHERN NIGERIA

Abstract

Cassava mosaic Gemini viruses are among the most important biotic agents that cause Cassava mosaic disease, limiting the production potential of the crop in Nigeria. This study was conducted to evaluate the current status of Cassava mosaic disease incidence and also to detect the viruses (ACMV and EACMV) causing the disease in the six(6) States in North Eastern Nigeria (Bauchi, Yobe, Gombe, Borno, Adamawa and Taraba), between January and September, 2017. A total of forty-nine (49) farmers’ fields were surveyed and, in each field, thirty plants were assessed regarding the CMD incidence. Leaf samples were collected from each field and prepared in the form of herbarium and transported to molecular biology laboratory, Kebbi State University of Science and Technololgy, Aliero, for virus diagnosis. The results of the study revealed that Cassava mosaic disease incidence varied among the states. It was highest in Gombe(73.90%) followed by Bauchi (63.70%) and lowest in Yobe (21.11%)State. Differential polymerase chain reaction (PCR) results using specific primers for African Cassava mosaic virus (ACMV) and EastAfrican Cassava mosaic virus (EACMV) revealed that 52.60% of the tested samples were positive to ACMV single infections and 14.10%were positive to EACMV single infections respectively. Dual infections of ACMV and EACMV were detected in 10.40% of the tested samples. The use of resistant varieties as a means of managing the disease is recommended in the study area.