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Author or Institution as Author
Patrick Chiza Chikoti
Co-authors

Mathias Tembo , James Peter Legg , Rudolph Rufini Shirima, Habibu Mugerwa and Peter Sseruwagi 

Date of publication
Edition or Version
1.00
Institution
ZARI
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Description/Abstract

Bemisia tabaci is an important vector of cassava brown streak viruses and cassava mosaic begomoviruses, the causal agents of cassava brown streak disease and cassava mosaic disease (CMD), respectively. A study was carried out to determine the genetic variability of B. tabaci associated with cassava and the occurrence of CMD in Zambia in 2013 and 2015. Phylogenetic analysis showed the presence of only the sub-Saharan Africa 1 (SSA1) genetic group in Zambia. The SSA1 population had three population subgroups (SGs): SSA1-SG1, SSA1-SG2 and SSA1-SG3. All three SSA1 population subgroups occurred in Western Province. However, only SSA1-SG3 occurred in Eastern Province, while only SSA1-SG1 occurred in North Western and Luapula Provinces. Adult B. tabaci were most abundant in Western Province in 2013 (11.1/plant) and 2015 (10.8/plant), and least abundant (0.2/plant) in Northern Province in both 2013 and 2015. CMD was prevalent in all seven provinces surveyed, with the highest incidence recorded in Lusaka Province in both 2013 (78%) and 2015 (83.6%), and the lowest in Northern Province in both 2013 (26.6%) and 2015 (29.3%). Although SSA1-SG1 occurred at greater abundances than the other subgroups, there was no direct association demonstrated between whitefly subgroup and incidence of CMD. Establishing which B. tabaci genetic groups and populations are associated with CMD and their distribution in the country is a key factor in guiding the development of CMD control strategies for cassava-dependent households.

Keywords
whitefly; genetic diversity; mtCOI; Manihot esculenta; CMD; Southern Africa
Contact name (for further information)
Patrick C. Chikoti
Contact email (for further information)
Contact institution (for further information)
ZARI
Citation

Chikoti,P., Tembo, M., Legg . P.J., Shirima, R., Mugerwa, H., & Sseruwagi, P. (2020). Genetic Diversity of Mitochondrial DNA of Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) Associated with Cassava and the Occurrence of Cassava Mosaic Disease in Zambia. Insect

CCARDESA Category

Funding Partners

4.61M

Beneficiaries Reached

97000

Farmers Trained

3720

Number of Value Chain Actors Accessing CSA

41300

Lead Farmers Supported