Category Archives: Cassava Diseases

Credits: Biovision-Infonet African Cassava Mosaic Disease (ACMD) Cassava bacterial blight Brown leaf spot Cassava brown streak virus disease Anthracnose Post harvest diseases

Credits: Biovision-Infonet Some growth on cassava chips, usually when the moisture content of cassava chips exceeds 14%, making them unfit for feed and food. A survey of cassava chips processing areas of West Africa has indicated that the most common fungi were Rhizopus sp. and Aspergillus sp. (IITA, 1996). What to do: Early harvesting prevents […]

(Glomerella manihotis) Credits: Biovision-Infonet Initial symptoms of the disease are oval lesions (“sores”) on young stems. On older stems, raised fibrous lesions develop that eventually become sunken. What to do: It is not an economically important disease in most cassava growing countries and it does not warrant any intervention.

(Potyvirus – Potyviridae) Credits: Biovision-Infonet It is particularly serious in coastal areas of Kenya, Zanzibar, Mozambique and Tanzania and lakeshore region of Malawi and in Uganda and is a threat to the whole of sub-Saharan Africa. The virus is vectored by whiteflies (Bemisia spp.) and also transmitted through infected cuttings. Symptoms include yellowing (leaf chlorosis) […]

(Cercosporidium henningsii) Credits: Biovision-Infonet Symptoms are restricted to older leaves. Brownish round spots with definite borders appear on the upper leaf surface. On the lower leaf surface, they are brownish-grey in colour. Infected leaves later become yellow and eventually drop. In wet areas the disease may cause a yield reduction of up to 20%. What […]

(Xanthomonas campestris pv. manihotis) Credits: Biovision-Infonet It is a major constraint to cassava cultivation in Africa. Infected leaves show localised, angular, water-soaked areas. Under severe disease attack heavy defoliation occurs, leaving bare stems, referred to as “candle sticks”. Since the disease is systemic, infected stems and roots show brownish discolouration. During periods of high humidity, […]

Credits: Biovision-Infonet African cassava mosaic disease is one of the most serious and widespread diseases throughout cassava growing areas in Africa, causing yield reductions of up to 90%. It is spread through infected cuttings and by whiteflies (Bemisia tabaci). Symptoms occur as characteristic leaf mosaic patterns that affect discrete areas and are determined at an […]