Occurrence of Cassava Mosaic Disease Related to Agro-ecosystem in Farmer’s Fields located in Kongo Central Province, Democratic Republic of Congo

Aim: To assess the Cassava Mosaic Disease (CMD) pressure by analyzing its incidence, severity and gravity, and to characterize agro-ecosystems where cassava farmers’ fields are established.

Place and Duration: The study was conducted in three different localities (Mvuazi, Ndembo and Pompage) in Kongo Central province, Democratic Republic of Congo, from June to December 2016.

Methodology: One hundred and fifty farmers’ fields randomly selected were investigated during epidemiological survey, with 50 fields in each locality. In each field selected, 30 cassava plants randomly selected in a square of 10 m x 10 m were analyzed. The CMD incidence, severity and gravity were collected, and agronomic and environmental factors relative to cassava fields were analyzed.

Results: In general, CMD was observed in the three localities, with pressure depending upon to localities and fields. The distance between two neighboring fields could vary from 5 to 35 or even 50m. Pathological parameters show significant difference (P = .05) among fields for the same locality. The lowest pressure was recorded in Mvuazi locality (with 12.8% for incidence, score 2 for severity, and 15% for gravity), while the highest pressure was recorded in Pompage (with 20% for incidence, score 3 for severity, and 32% for gravity). Data recorded on agro-environmental factors show that farmers of the three localities used almost the same agricultural practices. Analysis of data reported suggest that the origin and the type of cassava material cuttings used can play a principal role in the propagation and development of CMD in most of cassava cultivation regions.

Conclusion: The results of the present study revealed that CMD was present in different localities surveyed, and its pressure varies among localities, and from one field to another for the same locality. Agricultural practices used by farmers can play an important role in the propagation of CMD in different regions of cassava cultivation.