TITLE:
Occurrence and Distribution of Banana bunchy top virus Related Agro-Ecosystem in South Western, Democratic Republic of Congo
AUTHORS:
Lyna Fama Tongo Mukwa, M. Muengula, I. Zinga, A. Kalonji, M. L. Iskra-Caruana, C. Bragard
KEYWORDS:
Banana; Banana bunchy top virus (BBTV); Farmers’ Fields; Agro-Ecological Conditions; Democratic Republic of Congo
JOURNAL NAME:
American Journal of Plant Sciences,
Vol.5 No.5,
March
12,
2014
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 Kasa?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 Katanga
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.