CIAT developed diagnostic and surveillance protocols implemented by National Plant Protection Organizations to understand the impact of the Cassava Mosaic Disease in Southeast Asia

Published on: March 26, 2021, Submitted by Enrico Bonaiuti on: March 20, 2021, Reporting year: 2020

Sustainable Development Goals Contribution

Implementation of standard cost-effective field surveys and molecular diagnostics protocols for Cassava Mosaic Disease and cassava-begomoviruses in four countries in Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam

More than 13,000 images were collected during surveys for Cassava Mosaic Disease (CMD) in Southeast Asia. In 2020, these activities confirmed the presence of CMD and the virus in eastern Thailand and in the south of Laos. Validation of image data, location and lab diagnostic results is carried out via the PestDisPlace platform.

Cassava cultivation in Asia, practiced by more than 8 million farmers, is driving the rural economy of many countries in this region. Higher demand for cassava accelerates its multiplication and distribution through vegetative seed (stakes), increasing the risk of dissemination of pests and diseases. Targeted and cost-effective pest surveillance procedures should be designed and validated, particularly with diseases caused by a wide range of pathogens that induce similar symptoms. Such is the case with Cassava Mosaic Disease (CMD) present in Africa and Asia and associated with mixed virus infections and recombinant and re-assorted virus strains. Early identification and reporting of a specific emergent pathogen, are an important part of disease management and delays in sharing of this information can indirectly facilitate the spread. We have worked together with NPPOs colleagues in the Southeast Asia region to develop, validate and implement standard protocols to minimize the time and costs of field surveys and diagnostics for CMD while maintaining a low probability of escapes (for details please check both publications linked to this report). During 2020 more than 13,000 photographs (and samples) have been collected, analyzed by experts, and followed by targeted laboratory diagnostic tests, confirming for the first time the identity of the virus in Thailand and Laos.

Disaggregates for Sphere of Influence

  • 1.1.1 - Increased household coping capacity to cope with shocks

Focus

  • Gender: 1 - Significant objective

  • Youth: 1 - Significant objective

  • Capacity Development & Knowledge Sharing: 2 - Principal objective

  • Climate change: 2 - Principal objective

Specific Disaggregates for this Policy Indicator

  • Policy/Investment Type: Policy or Strategy

  • Whose policy is fixed? Public Sector

  • Stage of Maturity: Level 1 - Research taken up by next user (decision maker or intermediary)

Acknowledgement

We thank all staff from CIAT’s Cassava Program. We acknowledge financial support from the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) and the CGIAR Research Program on Roots, Tubers and Bananas (RTB) (https://www.cgiar.org/funders/).

CGIAR portfolios & Partners

References

Keywords

cassava virus disease digital diagnostic platform disease surveillance

Countries

About the author

Wilmer Jose Cuellar is Dr at International Center for Tropical Agriculture - CIAT.