Epidemiological analysis of yam mosaic virus (YMV) infection risk factors and its implications for clean seed yam systems

Yam mosaic virus (YMV) is a major threat to yam production in West Africa. This study determined factors contributing to the spread of YMV in yam fields, including the role of aphid vectors, seed-borne infections, YMV inoculum in the fields, weather, genetic diversity of the virus, and spatial distance between infected sources. The findings of this study are useful for refining YMV control measures, developing a model for disease risk assessment under different scenarios, and guiding clean seed yam production systems

First report of banana bunchy top virus in banana (Musa spp.) and its eradication in Togo

Open Access Article; Published online: 27 Apr 202

Preventing the transboundary spread of pests and pathogens through germplasm phytosanitary management

Many introduced pests (=pathogens, pests, and weeds) are responsible for major crop disease epidemics. The estimated economic impact of introduced pests on Africa's agricultural sector was up to US$3.6 trillion per year. Seed transmission of pests, along with the international distribution of plant propagation materials, is a major risk for germplasm distribution activities of IITA. As a pest risk mitigation measure, IITA established Germplasm Health Unit (GHU) to facilitate germplasm production free of harmful quarantine pests for conservation and international distribution and comply with national and international quarantine procedures. GHU uses a multidisciplinary and multistage process for ensuring phytosanitary safety: seed health testing using a range of diagnostics. Between 2017-21, GHU tested about 700,00 samples of 15 species and eliminated 8$10 per sample (US$ 5.6 million over five years). GHU distributed safe germplasm to 69 countries and prevented the transboundary spread of quarantine pests with IITA activities, making the most important contribution to national biosecurity