News: Cassava Brown Streak Disease (CBSD) is threatening cassava, a key staple crop for millions of people in sub-Saharan Africa.
About Cassava Brown Streak Disease
- It is a viral disease that causes loss of cassava root (tuber) production and quality.
- Caused by: It is caused by two types of viruses: Cassava Brown Streak Virus (CBSV) and Ugandan Cassava Brown Streak Virus (UCBSV)
- Spread: It was first reported in Eastern Africa during the 1930s and has now spread to several eastern, central and southern African countries.
- Symptoms: Symptoms can appear on leaves, stems, and cassava roots.
- Typical CBSD symptoms are leaf chlorosis, brown streaks on stems and dry hard rot in roots which affecting both the quality and quantity of edible storage roots.
- Its symptoms vary from variety to variety, and from one geographical location to another.
- Transmission: It spreads through infected cassava stem cuttings and by whiteflies, transmitting the virus between plants.
- Management: There are currently no effective treatments for plants infected with a virus.
- Management relies on resistant varieties, virus-free planting material, good agronomic practices, disease monitoring, and controlled movement of planting materials.
