Evaluation of Ten Cassava Varieties for Resistance to Cassava Mosaic Disease in Burkina Faso

Abstract

The whitefly-transmitted cassava mosaic disease (CMD) caused by cassava mosaic geminiviruses (CMGs) is the most important disease threatening the production of cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz). Among the main measures for controlling CMD, the use of resistant varieties seems to be among the best methods. This study was conducted in 2017/2018 cassava growing season at three locations to evaluate the level of resistance to CMD of 7 elite cassava varieties widely used by farmers and 3 local cassava varieties cultivated in Burkina Faso. Both morphological and molecular markers were used to screen these varieties against CMGs infection. Morphological markers revealed 8 varieties as highly resistant (TMS 91/02312, TMS 92/0067, TMS 92/0325, TMS 92/0427, TMS 4(2)1425, TMS 94/0270, TMS 30572 and Boborola) whilst the two others (Nouhao and Santidougou) were resistant. The molecular markers linked to CMD1 and CMD2 genes were detected in all varieties. The molecular marker associated with CMD3 gene was detected only in the 8 highly resistant varieties. However, whitefly number per plant and disease pressure were low during this study. It was, therefore, concluded that a better assessment of resistance of cassava varieties to CMD in Burkina Faso could be obtained by combining agro-inoculation and molecular screening.