Cassava mosaic begomoviruses (CMBs) are known to occur together within the same host and have a high rate of recombination. CMBs have also been reported to co-infect cassava with Cassava brown streak viruses (CBSVs), resulting in enhanced symptom expression. Interaction of virus species within the same group may result in recombination or synergism while interaction between the different groups may result in synergism. This dissertation determined the diversity and level of co-infection of CMBs in Kenya and also examined the nature of interaction of East African cassava mosaic virus Uganda (a variant of EACMV: a CMB), with CBSVs. The findings in this dissertation contribute to the knowledge gap on the complex nature of virus interaction and will contribute to the long term goal of managing and screening cassava viruses.

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Source: College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES)