Modelling cassava production and pest management under biotic and abiotic constraints

Abstract

Key message We summarise modelling studies of the most economically important cassava diseases and arthropods, highlighting research gaps where modelling can contribute to the better management of these in the areas of surveillance, control, and host-pest dynamics understanding the effects of climate change and future challenges in modelling. Abstract For over 30 years, experimental and theoretical studies have sought to better understand the epidemiology of cassava diseases and arthropods that affect production and lead to considerable yield loss, to detect and control them more effectively. In this review, we consider the contribution of modelling studies to that understanding. We summarise studies of the most economically important cassava pests, including cassava mosaic disease, cassava brown streak disease, the cassava mealybug, and the cassava green mite. We focus on conceptual models of system dynamics rather than statistical methods. Through our analysis we identified areas where modelling has contributed and areas where modelling can improve and further contribute. Firstly, we identify research challenges in the modelling developed for the surveillance, detection and control of cassava pests, and propose approaches to overcome these. We then look at the contributions that modelling has accomplished in the understanding of the interaction and dynamics of cassava and its’ pests, highlighting success stories and areas where improvement is needed. Thirdly, we look at the possibility that novel modelling applications can achieve to provide insights into the impacts and uncertainties of climate change. Finally, we identify research gaps, challenges, and opportunities where modelling can develop and contribute for the management of cassava pests, highlighting the recent advances in understanding molecular mechanisms of plant defence.

Characterization of the Cassava Mycobiome in Symptomatic Leaf Tissues Displaying Cassava Superelongation Disease

“…Cassava is known to harbor fungal genera belonging to many species as endophytes and/or plant pathogens [32][33][34][35]. Our study confirmed this as we isolated pathogenic fungi from Alternaria, Elsinoë, Neofusicoccum, Fusarium, Mycosphaerella, and Colletotrichum genera, among others.…”

Effect of farmers’ knowledge and production practices on the intensity of cassava bacterial blight in Western Kenya

“…This aligns with the results of the study where most farmers responded as never having encountered CBB. The ignorance might be because more focus has been placed on other cassava diseases at the expense of CBB revealed by the fact that most farmers in the study could easily identify other cassava pests and diseases and even relate them to their respective symptoms [24,25].…”

Molecular Identification of Cassava Arthropod Pest Complex in the Philippines

“…Cassava pests remain a signi cant challenge for cassava farmers in Asia because of the pest complex nature of these pests. The availability of molecular identi cation tools such as DNA Barcoding is increasingly essential to support cassava pest management, leading to reduced cassava pest damage (Bellotti, 2001;Chavez et al, 2021;Paul et al, 2022;Bisimwa et al, 2019). The molecular identi cation of these pests contributes to our understanding of the arthropod community associated with cassava and serves as a valuable resource of molecular data.…”