Components of resistance of cassava to African cassava mosaic virus

Components of resistance of cassava (Manihot esculenta) to African cassava mosaic virus (ACMV) and their interrelationships were confirmed and quantified in a series of experiments at Adiopodoume (Ivory Coast, West-Africa). The response to virus infection and to Bemisia tabaci infestation of a large collection of cassava, including local cultivars and others derived from inter-specific M. glaziovii hybrids was assessed. A consistent correlation was found between virus titre, symptom intensity, disease incidence and non-systemicity (recovery) which suggests that they are different expressions of the same genetic resistance. By contrast, there was no correlation between whitefly infestation and incidence of ACMV, suggesting that resistance to virus and vector are determined by two distinct genetic mechanisms. Several improved cultivars derived from inter-crossing cassava with M. glaziovii as well as some local cultivars were highly resistant and combined low susceptibility, low symptom intensity, low virus content and high level of recovery. Although yield losses ranged from 10% to 30% in such resistant cultivars, the combined effect of high field resistance and high rate of recovery lead to low disease incidence and limited yield losses, even in areas of high infection pressure such as Adiopodoume.