biostudies-literatureLandicho DMSoutheast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA)Heiwa-Nakajima FoundationNagoya University Asian Satellite Campuses Institute under the project “International Station for Tropical Agricultural Sciences (to S.C.)”522https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC11273669biostudies-literatureUnknown13(7)Cassava witches' broom disease (CWBD) is one of the most devastating diseases of cassava (<i>Manihot esculenta</i> Crantz), and it threatens global production of the crop. In 2017, a phytoplasma, <i>Candidatus</i> Phytoplasma luffae (<i>Ca.</i> P. luffae), was reported in the Philippines, and it has been considered as the causal agent, despite unknown etiology and transmission of CWBD. In this study, the nationwide occurrence of CWBD was assessed, and detection of CWBD's pathogen was attempted using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and next-generation sequencing (NGS) techniques. The results showed that CWBD has spread and become severe, exhibiting symptoms such as small leaf proliferation, shortened internodes, and vascular necrosis. PCR analysis revealed a low phytoplasma detection rate, BiologyStatus of Cassava Witches' Broom Disease in the Philippines and Identification of Potential Pathogens by Metagenomic Analysis.PMC11273669N/ACamagna MBulasag ASTakemoto DMontanez RJMMaejima KChiba SLandicho DMSato IMagdaraog PMNeang SPinili MSfalseStatus of Cassava Witches' Broom Disease in the Philippines and Identification of Potential Pathogens by Metagenomic Analysis.Cassava witches' broom disease (CWBD) is one of the most devastating diseases of cassava (<i>Manihot esculenta</i> Crantz), and it threatens global production of the crop. In 2017, a phytoplasma, <i>Candidatus</i> Phytoplasma luffae (<i>Ca.</i> P. luffae), was reported in the Philippines, and it has been considered as the causal agent, despite unknown etiology and transmission of CWBD. In this study, the nationwide occurrence of CWBD was assessed, and detection of CWBD's pathogen was attempted using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and next-generation sequencing (NGS) techniques. The results showed that CWBD has spread and become severe, exhibiting symptoms such as small leaf proliferation, shortened internodes, and vascular necrosis. PCR analysis revealed a low phytoplasma detection rate, 2024-01-01T00:00:00Z2024 Jul2026-04-21T03:25:24.405Z2025-04-19T13:12:01.232ZS-EPMC112736693905671510.3390/biology13070522