Severity of Viral Diseases and Types of Weeds as Alternative Viral Hosts in <em>Dioscorea</em> Fields in Southern Guinea Savannah Agroecology of Nigeria
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Date
2021
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Abstract
The incidence and severity of viruses
infecting yam and weeds were
determined on 60 Dioscorea farms in
Southern Guinea Savannah Agroecology
of Kwara State, North-Central Nigeria.
Double Antigen Sandwich Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (DAS ELISA) was used as a serological
technique to detect Yam mosaic virus
(YMV) and Cucumber mosaic virus
(CMV) on Dioscorea and weeds collected
from the farms. The survey indicated
virus incidence on Dioscorea between
62.8% and 100% and virus severity
between 2 and 5 score values. DAS-ELISA detected YMV in all the Dioscorea leaf
samples and mixed infection of YMV
with CMV in 13 samples. Twenty-nine
(29) weed species were found to be
predominant on Dioscorea fields which
comprised of annuals and broadleaves.
DAS-ELISA revealed high YMV titer
values for the weed species, Eclipta alba,
Euphorbia heterophylla, Oldenlandia
herbacea, Cynodon dactylon and
Phyllantus amarus. However, CMV was
not found in any of the sampled weed
species. The study showed a high
occurrence of viruses on Dioscorea and
the preponderance of weeds which could
serve as vectors of viruses. There is a need
for efficient management strategies for
virus and weed elimination within and
around yam fields which will invariably
be an attraction to farmers with limited
resources for optimum yam production.