Cassava Brown Streak Disease

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.