Ceratobasidium sp. is associated with cassava witches' broom disease, a re-emerging threat to cassava cultivation in Southeast Asia.

ABSTRACT: Cassava witches' broom disease (CWBD) is a devastating disease of cassava in Southeast Asia (SEA), of unknown etiology. Affected plants show reduced internodal length, proliferation of leaves and weakening of stems. This results in poor germination of infected stem cuttings (i.e., planting material) and significant reductions in fresh root yields and starch content, causing economic losses for farmers and processors. Using a metagenomic approach, we identified a fungus belonging to the Ceratobasidium genus, sharing more than 98.3-99.7% nucleotide identity at the Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS), with Ceratobasidium theobromae a pathogen causing similar symptoms in cacao. Microscopy analysis confirmed the identity of the fungus and specific designed PCR tests readily showed (1) Ceratobasid

SUBMITTER: Leiva AM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10728180 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature