PLANT-VIRUS DISEASES OF IMPORTANCE OF AFRICAN AGRICULTURE

In subsistence agriculture of the tropics, yields of crops are often low due to pests and diseases. Among other pathogens, several viruses have been associated with the poor yields. This paper reviews present knowledge on viruses of importance to African agriculture. A number of viruses identified in crops in Africa are listed, and few important ones are discussed in detail. Virus diseases constitute a major threat to the large-scale production of crops in several African countries. The geographical distribution of several viruses is not yet accurately determined, and many virus diseases are yet to be accurately identified. Control of virus diseases has been largely concentrated on the identification and development of resistant materials to suit the subsistence farming systems that prevail in the continent.