Evaluation of resistance to cassava mosaic disease in selected African cassava cultivars using combined molecular and greenhouse grafting tools

Jerome Anani Houngue; Martine Zandjanakou-Tachin; Hermine Bille Ngalle; Justin S Pita; Gilles Habib Todjro Cacaï; Sergine E Ngatat; Joseph Martin Bell; Corneille Ahanhanzo

doi:10.1016/j.pmpp.2018.07.003

Evaluation of resistance to cassava mosaic disease in selected African cassava cultivars using combined molecular and greenhouse grafting tools

Physiol Mol Plant Pathol. 2019 Jan:105:47-53. doi: 10.1016/j.pmpp.2018.07.003.

Authors

Jerome Anani Houngue^{1

2

3}, Martine Zandjanakou-Tachin⁴, Hermine Bille Ngalle², Justin S Pita⁵, Gilles Habib Todjro Cacaï¹, Sergine E Ngatat³, Joseph Martin Bell², Corneille Ahanhanzo¹

Affiliations

¹ Central Laboratory of Plant Biotechnology and Plant Breeding, Department of Genetics and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technique, University of Abomey-Calavi, Benin.
² Laboratory of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Department of Plant Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Cameroon.
³ International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Nkolbisson, Yaoundé, Cameroon.
⁴ Laboratory of Molecular Plant Pathology, School of Horticulture and Green Space, National University of Agriculture, Porto-Novo, Benin.
⁵ Laboratory of Plant Physiology, Université Félix Houphouët-Boigny, Cote d'Ivoire.

Abstract

Cassava mosaic disease (CMD) threatens cassava (Manihot esculenta) production in Africa. A total of 24 selected cultivars were screened against CMD using combined molecular and greenhouse grafting tools. Disease severity was recorded for 10 weeks after inoculation and the molecular markers associated with CMD2 were detected by PCR. CMD severity significantly differed (P < 0.0001) among cultivars. Twelve cultivars were morphologically resistant and eight of these possessed CMD2 and four did not. These results suggest that there are several CMD-resistant cassava cultivars that could be recommended for on-farm production and for conservation and breeding programs.

Keywords: African cassava mosaic virus; CMD resistance gene; East African cassava mosaic virus; Grafting inoculation; Manihot esculenta; Resistant cultivars.