Effects of sweet potato feathery mottle virus, sweet potato chlorotic stunt virus and their co-infection on sweet potato yield in Western Burkina Faso

Abstract

To determine the effects of sweet potato feathery mottle virus (SPFMV), Sweet potato chlorotic stunt virus (SPCSV) and their co-infection on sweet potato yield, twelve sweet potato varieties were assessed in a hotspot area in Western Burkina Faso. The experiment was carried out in a randomized complete-block design with the twelve varieties in three replications. Data were collected on plant growth parameters, plant virus symptoms and yield parameters. Additional testing for selected sweet potato viruses was done using a nitrocellulose membrane enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (NCM-ELISA) and RT-PCR. SPFMV and SPCSV were the viruses detected in this study. Varieties Djakani and Ligri were virus-free and had the highest average yields out of twelve sweet potato varieties assessed. Field monitoring indicated that 58% of plants were found to be virus-infected. The results suggest that severe symptoms were associated with sweet potato virus disease (SPVD) and yield reduction. However, the interaction of SPCSV with other viruses, which may result in synergistic negative effects on sweet potato yield and quality, needs further research.

Keywords

• diagnostic
• farako-bâ
• incidence
• serology
• virus
• sweet potato