African Journal of
Agricultural Research

  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Agric. Res.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1991-637X
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJAR
  • Start Year: 2006
  • Published Articles: 6786

Full Length Research Paper

Isolation and identification of some pathogenic fungi associated with cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) root rot disease in Cameroon

Nyaka Ngobisa A. I. C
  • Nyaka Ngobisa A. I. C
  • Institute of Agricultural Research for Development (IRAD), Ekona Regional Centre, PMB 25 Buea, Cameroon.
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Kammegne Djidjou P.
  • Kammegne Djidjou P.
  • Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Douala, Cameroon.
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Ntsomboh Ntsefong Godswill
  • Ntsomboh Ntsefong Godswill
  • Phytopathology Unit, IRAD-CEREPAH La Dibamba, B. P. 243 Douala, Cameroon.
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Mbenoun M.
  • Mbenoun M.
  • Institute of Agricultural Research for Development (IRAD), Nkolbisson Regional Centre, PMB 2067, Yaoundé, Cameroon.
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Zok Simon
  • Zok Simon
  • Institute of Agricultural Research for Development (IRAD), Ekona Regional Centre, PMB 25 Buea, Cameroon.
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Fontem Dominic
  • Fontem Dominic
  • Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Dschang, Cameroon.
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  •  Received: 11 August 2015
  •  Accepted: 29 October 2015
  •  Published: 10 December 2015

Abstract

Root rot diseases constitute a major constraint to cassava production in Cameroon. However, not much is known about the identity of pathogens associated with them. It is in this light that this study was realized with the aim of characterizing the various root rot diseases and identifying their associated fungal causal agents in Cameroon. Sixty four cassava stems with root rot symptoms were sampled in the Littoral, Southwest and West Regions of Cameroon. Results revealed that cassava root rot (CRR) is either wet (soft) or dry depending on the region of study. Isolation was done on PDA medium enriched with Chloramphenicol. After purifying thrice on the PDA medium, 20 isolates were collected. Identification with the help of the Barnett and Hunter key revealed the existence of seven fungi including Colletotrichum sp., Fusarium sp., Pestalotia sp., Geotrichum sp., Sphaerostilberepens, Trichoderma viride and Botryodiplodia theobromae.

Key words: Cassava root rot, pathogen, sustainable agriculture, disease control.

Copyright © 2023 Author(s) retain the copyright of this article.

This article is published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0

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