Occurrence and Distribution of <i>Banana bunchy top virus</i> Related Agro-Ecosystem in South Western, Democratic Republic of Congo

Abstract

Banana bunchy top virus (BBTV) is one of the most severe and widespread virus limiting production and distribution of planting material of banana (Musa spp.) crops in the world. In Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), these crops play a major role in daily life of almost 70% of citizen. Many factors influence banana production negatively such as Banana bunchy top disease. Epidemiological survey was conducted in experimental stations and farmers' fields for two consecutive seasons covering 72 sites in five provinces of south western of RDC. The objective of this study was to evaluate the presence and distribution of the Banana bunchy top virus in five provinces of South Western of DRC, with emphasis on the agro-ecological factors. A total of 174 Musa spp. leaves samples were collected and analyzed by PCR. The results revealed the presence of BBTV in all provinces investigated. The frequency of BBTV was 6.3% in Bandundu, 12.1% in Kasaï Oriental, 17.8% Bas Congo, 1.1% in Katanga and 7.5% Kinshasa Urban and Peri-urban. Results also revealed that BBTV occurred in experimental station and farmers' fields, both having all cooking and dessert bananas. The high prevalence of BBTV seemed to be linked to multiple introductions of planting materials in the Bas Congo province during 1990 and 2002. However, the province of Ka-* Corresponding author. L. F. T. Mukwa et al. 648 tanga had not experienced the introduction of planting material. This factor would explain the lowest prevalence of Banana bunchy top virus in this province. The results indicated that there was a real need to facilitate access to genetically improved and healthy certified planting material in these provinces.

Prévalence du Banana Bunchy Top Disease (BBTD) dans la zone de Ntoum au Gabon

“…nigronervosa est la seule espèce d'insecte vecteur connu à ce jour (Thomas et al, 2003). Il a besoin de se nourrir sur une plante infectée pour acquérir des particules virales (Robson et al, 2007 ;Mukwa et al, 2014). Une durée d'alimentation du puceron d'au moins quelques heures sur une plante infectée est nécessaire pour acquérir efficacement le virus.…”

Bacillus-based biocontrol beyond chemical control in central Africa: the challenge of turning myth into reality

“…Banana bunchy top virus "BBTV" (Vector: Pentalonia nigronervosa) Banana (Musa spp.) *** NI (Gaidashova et al, 2010;Niyongere et al, 2013;Boloy et al, 2014;Mukwa et al, 2014;Okonya et al, 2019a;Raut and Ranade, 2004) Sweet potato chlorotic stunt virus "SPCSV" (Vector: Bemisia tabaci), Sweet potato feathery mottle virus "SPFMV" (Vector: Myzus persicae and Aphis gossypii)…”

First report of banana bunchy top disease caused by Banana bunchy top virus in Uganda

“…BBTV is spread through infected planting materials and by the aphid vector Pentalonia nigronervosa (Magee, 1927) that has been reported to be omnipresent in banana‐growing regions. BBTD has been reported in much of the DR Congo (Boloy et al., 2014; Tongo Mukwa et al., 2014) including the north‐eastern province of Ituri that borders the affected region of Uganda. This infection may have been introduced from the Ituri Province, mainly through infected planting materials.…”

“…A PCR using specific primers that amplify a 240 bp conserved domain of the BBTV DNA-mRep segment (Mansoor et al, 2005) BBTV is spread through infected planting materials and by the aphid vector Pentalonia nigronervosa (Magee, 1927) that has been reported to be omnipresent in banana-growing regions. BBTD has been reported in much of the DR Congo (Boloy et al, 2014;Tongo Mukwa et al, 2014)…”