CBN-V Video Archives - S8-24
Adaptation and Implementation of Integrated Control Measures of Cassava Bacterial Blight Through Collaborative Research between European Partners, IITA and NARS in Africa

Wydra K.^1,2, B. Ahohuendo^3,, A. Banito^1,4, R.M.C. Cooper⁵, A. Dixon⁶, R..B. Kemp⁵, K. Kpemoua⁴, K. Rudolph², F. Witt^1,2, V. Verdier⁷ and V. Zinsou^1,3

1. Institute of Plant Diseases and Plant Protection, Univ. of Hanover, Germany, wydra@ipp.uni-hannover.de
2. Institute of Plant Protection and Plant Pathology, Univ. of Göttingen, Germany
3. University of Benin, Fac. of Agriculture, Benin
4 . ITRA, Lome, Togo
5. School of Biology and Biochemistry, Univ. of Bath, Bath, UK
6. IITA, Ibadan, Nigeria
7. IRD, Montpellier, France, c/o CIAT, Colombia v.verdier@cgiar.org

        Results of a collaborative EU-financed project, a follow-up of a research project at IITA (1994-1999), with the partners listed above, the German institutes being the coordinators, are presented. In field studies conducted by national agricultural research systems (NARS) in Benin and Togo, control measures for cassava bacterial blight, as listed in a former project at IITA, such as intercropping, use of resistant varieties, weed control etc. were combined and tested under various agronomic and ecological conditions. The investigations resulted in the identification of locally and regionally well adapted control measures such as using locally preferred resistant varieties, intercropping with locally used crops, soil amendments with local material, fertilization and recommendations on sanitary measures to reduce the disease. Complementary studies by the European partners elucidated some mechanisms of resistance at the biochemical and genetic levels and molecular host-pathogen interactions. New methods for detection of Xanthomonas campestris pv. manihotis (Xcm), using immunological and genetic techniques, were developed. Research results were partly verified under African conditions, such as testing of the cassava genome mapping population for reaction towards African strains in order to identify genetic markers and/or resistance related genes. During exchange visits, African scientists used techniques elaborated by the European partners, to study specific problems such as (a) primary infection of cassava cuttings, (b) vector transmission of Xcm, using antiserum specific for lipopolysaccharides of Xcm. Specific molecular detection methods were elaborated and are being transferred to Africa.

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