Disease Incidence, Severity Status of Cassava Mosaic Disease (CMD) and Whitefly (Bemisia. tabaci) Abundance/Density on Selected Cassava (Manihot esculenta Cranz) Growing Areas of Kebbi State, Nigeria

Abstract

Cassava is a staple food for about 800 million people worldwide. Nigeria remains the highest producer of cassava globally. Cassava Mosaic Disease is one of the biotic factors impeding cassava production across Nigeria. A field study was conducted in Aliero, Maiyama and Jega LGA of Kebbi State, during the 2022 dry Season between the months of January and March. The study aimed at assessing the incidence, symptom severity, and status of Cassava Mosaic Disease and whitefly Abundance. Thirty (30) cassava plants were assessed randomly in a diagonal (X) during the survey as standard protocol designed by the West African Virus Epidemiology (WAVE) to assess the disease incidence, severity status and whitefly density. The assessments were done on an epical terminal leaflet of each thirty (30) plants per farm. Data obtained on Incidence, severity status and Whitefly count were subjected to descriptive statistics using Microsoft Excel (2016) while the results were presented in a bar chart. The results shows that Gindi had the highest disease incidence with (63.33%), followed by Maiyama with (56.67%), Karaye ranked third with (50.0%), followed by Ksusta Orchard (43.33%), while Duduke and Kali recorded the same and lower (40.0%). However, Maiyama had the highest Severity (2.17), followed by Karaye, Gindi, Ksusta orchard and Duduke with (1.97, 1.87 and 1.67) respectively. The least was recorded by Kali (1.57). Moreover, Gindi had the highest Whitefly count (22), followed by Kali (19), Duduke and Karaye recorded similar results (18), while the lowest were revealed in Maiyama and Ksusta orchard (16 and 12). Similarly, Maiyama had an overall Incidence and Severity (5.34% and 2.07) than Jega (51.67% and 1.77) and Aliero (41.67% and 1.62), but Jega had a higher Whitefly count (20) compared to Maiyama (17) and Aliero (15). Therefore, the research findings conclude that, there is an occurrence of cassava mosaic disease and whitefly population in Kebbi State. The research work recommends the use of tolerant cassava varieties, removal of infested cassava plants, regular weeding and vector control by cassava farmers.