African Journal of
Biotechnology

  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Biotechnol.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1684-5315
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJB
  • Start Year: 2002
  • Published Articles: 12485

Full Length Research Paper

Distribution of cassava mosaic begomoviruses in the North-Western provinces of Democratic Republic of Congo

Olivier Likiti Kola
  • Olivier Likiti Kola
  • Laboratoire de Phytopathologie et Biotechnologies Végétales and Central and West African Virus Epidemiology for Food Security (WAVE), Institut Facultaire des Sciences Agronomiques de Yangambi, Democratic Republic of Congo.
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Rosine Kisuka Muvirirwa
  • Rosine Kisuka Muvirirwa
  • Laboratoire de Phytopathologie et Biotechnologies Végétales and Central and West African Virus Epidemiology for Food Security (WAVE), Institut Facultaire des Sciences Agronomiques de Yangambi, Democratic Republic of Congo.
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Guy-Roger Diko Eboma
  • Guy-Roger Diko Eboma
  • Laboratoire de Phytopathologie et Biotechnologies Végétales and Central and West African Virus Epidemiology for Food Security (WAVE), Institut Facultaire des Sciences Agronomiques de Yangambi, Democratic Republic of Congo.
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Jean-Claude Bulonza Mulimbanya
  • Jean-Claude Bulonza Mulimbanya
  • Laboratoire de Phytopathologie et Biotechnologies Végétales and Central and West African Virus Epidemiology for Food Security (WAVE), Institut Facultaire des Sciences Agronomiques de Yangambi, Democratic Republic of Congo.
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Tony Bakelena Zeyimo
  • Tony Bakelena Zeyimo
  • Central and West African Virus Epidemiology for Food Security (WAVE) and Institut National pour l’Etude et la Recherche Agronomique, Centre de Recherche de Mvuazi, Democratic Republic of Congo.
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Onésime Mubenga Kankonda
  • Onésime Mubenga Kankonda
  • Faculté de Gestion des Ressources Naturelles and Centre de Surveillance de la Biodiversité, Université de Kisangani, Kisangani, Democratic Republic of Congo.
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Godefroid Monde te-Kazangba
  • Godefroid Monde te-Kazangba
  • Laboratoire de Phytopathologie et Biotechnologies Végétales and Central and West African Virus Epidemiology for Food Security (WAVE), Institut Facultaire des Sciences Agronomiques de Yangambi, Democratic Republic of Congo.
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  •  Received: 07 December 2023
  •  Accepted: 20 February 2024
  •  Published: 29 February 2024

Abstract

This study was carried out for the first time in the North-Western Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) as part of the Viral Epidemiology in West and Central Africa (WAVE) program. Its dual aim was to identify and map the viruses responsible for African cassava mosaic in this part of the country. Cassava leaf samples were collected during a geo-referenced survey conducted from 1st February to 31st March, 2022 in three provinces: Mongala, Nord Ubangi, and Sud Ubangi.  Molecular diagnostics were carried out to identify the viral strains associated with Cassava Mosaic Disease (CMD). The results showed the presence of African Cassava Mosaic Virus (ACMV) and East African Cassava Mosaic Cameroon Virus (EACMCV) in the study area. EACMCV was present in all provinces, while ACMV was only reported in the province of Nord-Ubangi. This study recommends good agricultural practices and participatory surveillance as a strategy for managing CMD in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

 

Key words: Epidemiology, cassava, viruses, East African Cassava Mosaic Cameroon (EACMCV), African Cassava Mosaic Virus (ACMV).