Papers by Sam morris opio
Insects, Apr 9, 2024
Whitefly is one of the most devastating pests of cassava among smallholder farmers in East and Ce... more Whitefly is one of the most devastating pests of cassava among smallholder farmers in East and Central Africa. The pest causes severe damage to plants through direct feeding as well as spreading the deadly cassava mosaic disease and cassava brown streak disease. Most of the improved cassava varieties in Uganda were developed for cassava mosaic disease resistance and cassava brown streak disease tolerance. Moreover, few research efforts have focused on ascertaining their reaction to whitefly infestation. A research study was therefore conducted to determine the reaction of several improved regional cassava varieties in a bid to identify those with resistance to whitefly in Uganda. The results reveal that cassava variety Mkumba consistently supports low whitefly populations across all locations. The findings of this study further indicate the potential of improved cassava varieties for the effective and sustainable management of whitefly, especially in the high-pest-pressure areas of Uganda and the continent at large.
Insects - MDPI, 2024
Cassava whitefly, Bemisia tabaci, directly damages cassava leaves by feeding on phloem,
causing c... more Cassava whitefly, Bemisia tabaci, directly damages cassava leaves by feeding on phloem,
causing chlorosis and abscission, leading to a yield loss of up to 50%. The pest also causes indirect
damage through sooty mold formation. Most Ugandan cassava varieties resist cassava mosaic disease
(CMD) and tolerate cassava brown streak disease (CBSD), but little is known about their response to
whitefly infestation. The main objective of this study was to identify cassava genotypes with putative
resistance to whitefly in Uganda. This was conducted on 24 improved cassava varieties in three
agro-ecological zones during the second rains of 2016. Monthly data were taken for adult and nymph
counts, whitefly and sooty mold damage, and CMD and CBSD severities from 2 to 9 months after
planting (MAPs). The results show that the whitefly population is highly significantly (p < 0.000)
amongst varieties across the three agro-ecological zones. Mkumba consistently supported the low
adult numbers and nymphs. The findings demonstrate the potential of the improved cassava varieties
as sources of whitefly resistance for sustainable management.
Keywords: cassava varieties; agro-ecological zones; infestation; sustainable management
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Papers by Sam morris opio
causing chlorosis and abscission, leading to a yield loss of up to 50%. The pest also causes indirect
damage through sooty mold formation. Most Ugandan cassava varieties resist cassava mosaic disease
(CMD) and tolerate cassava brown streak disease (CBSD), but little is known about their response to
whitefly infestation. The main objective of this study was to identify cassava genotypes with putative
resistance to whitefly in Uganda. This was conducted on 24 improved cassava varieties in three
agro-ecological zones during the second rains of 2016. Monthly data were taken for adult and nymph
counts, whitefly and sooty mold damage, and CMD and CBSD severities from 2 to 9 months after
planting (MAPs). The results show that the whitefly population is highly significantly (p < 0.000)
amongst varieties across the three agro-ecological zones. Mkumba consistently supported the low
adult numbers and nymphs. The findings demonstrate the potential of the improved cassava varieties
as sources of whitefly resistance for sustainable management.
Keywords: cassava varieties; agro-ecological zones; infestation; sustainable management