Section
Biological Sciences
Abstract
Cassava mosaic disease caused by cassava mosaic begomoviruses (CMBs) remains one of themajor constraints to cassava production since it causes yield losses up to 100%. Researchesshowed that some of CMBs infecting cassava plants may be coming from non-crop plants. Thisstudy intended to identify and characterize CMBs isolated from non-crop plant species inUnguja and Pemba Islands. A total of 108 viral symptomatic and asymptomatic non-crop leafsamples were collected using stratified sampling. DNA was extracted by using CTAB protocolfollowed by polymerase chain reaction using universal and specific primers for cassava mosaicbegomoviruses identification. Results showed that, among eleven samples that were amplified,four were African cassava mosaic viruses (ACMV) and seven were East African cassavamosaic viruses (EACMV). DNA sequencing by Sanger method showed 97–99% similaritieswith isolates of ACMV and EACMV reported elsewhere in Africa. Using RbcL and MatK plantbarcode genes, Datura stramonium, Solanum melongena and Solanum incanum were foundassociated with ACMV, while Senna occidentalis, Sida acuta and Ricinus communis harbouredEACMV. These findings are a key in understanding the epidemiology of cassava mosaicdisease and are potential in the development of sustainable management strategies for thisdisease.Keywords: Begomoviruses, Cassava mosaic disease, East African cassava mosaic virus, Noncrop plants. Keywords: Begomoviruses, Cassava mosaic disease, East African cassava mosaic virus, Noncrop plants.
Recommended Citation
Mwakosya, Joseph A.; Temu, Gladness E.; and Ndunguru, Joseph C.
(2021)
"Identification and Characterization of Cassava Mosaic Begomoviruses in Non-crop Plants from Unguja and Pemba Islands,"
Tanzania Journal of Science: Vol. 47:
Iss.
5, Article 30.
Available at:https://doi.org/10.4314/tjs.v47i5.31