Molecular Diversity and Distribution of Whiteflies (Bemisia tabaci) in Cassava Fields Across South West and North Central, Nigeria.

ABSTRACT: Whitefly Bemisia tabaci (Gennadium, Hemiptera) causes severe damage to cassava plants through excessive feeding on leaves and transmitting viruses, such as African cassava mosaic virus (ACMV), East African cassava mosaic virus (EACMV), and ipomoviruses that cause cassava brown streak disease. Currently, little is known about the molecular diversity and distribution of whitefly species in the major cassava-growing zones of Nigeria. This study aimed to address the knowledge gap by assessing the genetic diversity, distribution, and associated cassava mosaic begomoviruses (CMBs) in whiteflies across South West and North Central, Nigeria. Whitefly samples were systematically collected from cassava plants during georeferenced epidemiological surveys in 2017, 2020, and 2022.

SUBMITTER: Efekemo OP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11594662 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature