Incidence, severity and distribution of Cassava brown streak disease in northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo

Cassava fields were prospected from two provinces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (Ituri and Haut Uélé) to evaluate the ampleness of Cassava brown streak disease (CBSD) infection. CBSD pressure was determined by assessing the incidence, severity, whitefly abundance and distribution of the disease viruses in the surveyed provinces. A duplex RT-PCR was performed for the simultaneous detection of Ugandan Cassava brown streak virus (UCBSV) and Cassava brown streak virus (CBSV) on 56 cassava leaves sampled in the study area. Our results show a high field CBSD incidence contrasted to a low severity in both provinces. CBSD severity was similar in both provinces (mean disease severity 2). High densities of whitefly were recorded in Ituri province (10 adult whiteflies plant(−1)) than in Haut Uélé where density was 5 adults plant(−1). However, no relation has been found between whitefly density and CBSD incidence and severity on cassava leaf, root and stems. Molecular analysis showed the incidence of single infections of UCBSV was greater than single infections of CBSV and mixed infections of UCBSV and CBSV. Disease incidence was greater in Ituri than in Haut Uélé; molecular incidence was lower than field incidence. Our results raise the need for appropriate CBSD control strategies in DRC.