Occurrence of cassava mosaic begomovirus-associated satellites on cassava in Ghana

Cassava mosaic disease (CMD), arguably the most important viral disease of cassava, an important food security crop has in recent times, been reported to be associated with satellites in some parts of sub-Saharan Africa. We investigated the status of Cassava mosaic begomovirus and associated satellites in CMD-affected cassava plants in Ghana using polymerase chain reaction. In all, 110 CMD-affected cassava leaf samples collected from cassava fields in Southern Ghana. Africa cassava mosaic virus (ACMV) was detected in 107 (97%) cassava leaf samples, out of which 76 (69%) was in mixed infections with East Africa cassava mosaic virus-Cameroon (EACMV-CM). EACMV (CM) alone was detected in three (3%) cassava leaf samples. Out of the 110 cassava leaf samples affected by cassava mosaic begomoviruses, satIII and satII were detected in 66 (60%) and 47 (43%), respectively. To the best of our knowledge, detection of CMB-associated satellites in Ghana is the first in the country and possibly in West Africa, and has serious epidemiological implications on the management of CMD, thereby requiring further studies and concerted efforts to safeguard cassava production.