Journal of Applied Biosciences (J. Appl. Biosci.) [ISSN 1997 - 5902]
Volume 14: 761 - 767. Published February 2, 2009.
The effect of Cassava Anthracnose Disease on the yield of some cassava cultivars in Eastern Nigeria
Obilo OP.*^ and Ikotun B.**
*Department of Crop Science and Technology, School of Agriculture and Agricultural Technology, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Imo state, P.M.B 1526, Nigeria. **Department of Crop Protection and Environmental Biology, Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, University of Ibadan, Oyo state, Nigeria.
^Corresponding e-mail: patobilo@yahoo.com
ABSTRACT
Objectives: To study the effect of Cassava Anthracnose Disease (CAD) on the yield of some cassava cultivars in Eastern Nigeria.
Methodology and results: The incidence and severity of CAD on cassava cultivars was assessed over 3 years of field trials and its effects on yield monitored. Cultivars TMS 4(2)1425 and TMS 30211 had the lowest incidence of 1.5 and 2.5 respectively, and severity of 1.0 and 1.67, respectively. This was significantly less (P<0.05) than on cultivars Nwaocha, Akwakwuru and Nwageri which had the highest disease score of 2.3 – 3.5. TMS 4(2)1425 had the lowest incidence (7.67 and 1.3) and severity (1 and 1.67) of CAD in the first and second trials, respectively, which led to the lowest fresh weights (0.1 kg) of tubers and stems (0.1 kg) of infected plants in the second trial. This was followed by TMS 30211 which had incidence (17.67 and 9.7) and severity (1.67 and 2.14) of CAD in the first and second trials, which led to low fresh weights of tubers (0.85 kg) and stems (1.35 kg) from infected plants in the first trial. Cultivar Akwakwuru had the highest incidence (58.67) and severity (3.54) in both the first and second trials which led to the highest fresh weights of infected stems (3.8 kg) and tubers (3.4 kg) from infected plants in the second trial.
Conclusion and application of findings: Cultivars TMS 4(2)1425 and TMS 30211 had higher resistance to anthracnose and can be recommended for further improvement through breeding. Cv. Akwakwuru and cv. Nwageri were highly susceptible and are not recommended for planting as infected stems of these cultivars could serve as sources of inoculum in the field.
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