Transmission of Cassava brown streak virus by Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius)

  1. M. N. Maruthi,
  2. R. J. Hillocks,
  3. K. Mtunda,
  4. M. D. Raya,
  5. M. Muhanna,
  6. H. Kiozia,
  7. A. R. Rekha,
  8. J. Colvin,
  9. J. M. Thresh

Article first published online: 13 MAY 2005

DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0434.2005.00974.x

Issue

Journal of Phytopathology

Journal of Phytopathology

Volume 153, Issue 5, pages 307–312, May 2005

Additional Information

How to Cite

Maruthi, M. N., Hillocks, R. J., Mtunda, K., Raya, M. D., Muhanna, M., Kiozia, H., Rekha, A. R., Colvin, J. and Thresh, J. M. (2005), Transmission of Cassava brown streak virus by Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius). Journal of Phytopathology, 153: 307–312. doi: 10.1111/j.1439-0434.2005.00974.x

Author Information

  1. Authors’ addresses: 1Plant, Animal and Human Health Group, Natural Resources Institute, University of Greenwich, Central Avenue, Chatham Maritime, Kent ME4 4TB, UK; 2Sugarcane Research Institute, PO Box 30331, Kibaha, Tanzania; 3Naliendele Agricultural Research Institute, PO Box 509, Mtwara, Tanzania (correspondence to M. N. Maruthi. E-mail: m.n.maruthi@greenwich.ac.uk)

*Natural Resources Institute, University of Greenwich, Kent, UK

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 13 MAY 2005
  2. Article first published online: 13 MAY 2005
  3. Received October 28, 2004; accepted April 1, 2005

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Keywords:

  • Bemisia afer;
  • Ipomovirus;
  • Manihot esculenta;
  • RT-PCR;
  • vector;
  • whitefly

Abstract

Two whitefly species, Bemisia afer (Priesner & Hosny) and B. tabaci (Gennadius) were used in transmission experiments with Cassava brown streak virus (CBSV) (Ipomovirus; Potyviridae). Adults of whiteflies were given access to CBSV by containing them in clip cages on CBSV-infected cassava plants. Whiteflies were then transferred, together or separately, to CBSD-susceptible cassava plants of var. ‘Albert’ in a controlled environment. In glasshouse experiments, whiteflies were caged with CBSV-infected and virus-free cassava plants. Transmission of CBSV was sporadic and occurred in three of seven experiments when inoculated by B. afer and B. tabaci or B. tabaci alone, but not by B. afer alone. However, rate of transmission was low (maximum 22%) even when using high whitefly numbers of up to 120 per target plant. Successful transmission was confirmed by the detection of CBSV by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Spread of cassava brown streak disease (CBSD) in the field in Tanzania coincided with increases in whitefly numbers; further supporting the evidence that B. tabaci is a vector of CBSV. The results of this study establish for the first time that B. tabaci is the vector of CBSV, similar to other ipomoviruses.

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