CASSAVA PESTS AND DISEASE CONTROL
Pests
- Cassava Green Mite
- To avoid this pest, make sure to plant early at the onset of rains.
- Biological control through using predatory mites and parasites.
- Carry out crop rotation.
- Integrated Pest Management is also highly advisable.
- Cassava Mealy Bugs
- They are effectively controlled by their natural enemy, a parasitic wasp.
- Use integrated pest management.
- Routine checks through the garden are also highly advised.
- Plant resistant and tolerant varieties.
Diseases
- Cassava Mosaic Disease
Symptoms
- Chlorosis where plants produce insufficient chlorophyll.
- Mottling of leaves
- Leaf fall.
Control
- Plant resistant or tolerant varieties e.g. the NASE and TME varieties (e.g. NASE 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, NAROCAS 1, 2 and TME 14 and 204).
- Practice crop rotation with legumes.
- Use disease-free planting material.
- Cassava Brown Streak Disease
Symptoms
- Venial necrosis.
- Brown streaks on the stem.
- Necrotic dry rot on the roots.
Control
- Planting cuttings from disease-free areas/gardens after being certified by MAAIF.
- Planting tolerant varieties e.g. NASE 14, 19, and NAROCAS1. (Farmers should from time to time seek advice from Extension staff on the latest tolerant varieties)
- Uprooting and burying or burning diseased plants or entire field.
- Integrated disease management.
- Most CMD resistant/tolerant varieties are susceptible to CBSD but the tolerant varieties currently recommended to farmers include NASE 14, 19 and NAROCAS1.
