Characterization of Sweetpotato Feathery Mottle Virus infecting Sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas) in Burkina Faso. Characterization of sweetpotato viruses in Burkina Faso

Sweetpotato (Ipomea batatas) production is severely affected by several virus diseases in Sub-Saharan Africa but their aetiology is rarely established in most countries. The occurrence of Sweetpotato feathery mottle virus (SPFMV) was investigated in Burkina Faso in the frame of efforts to increase the production of sweetpotato. Field surveys were undertaken to collect leaf samples based on symptom expression. SPFMV was detected in collected samples by enzyme linked-immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Results: SPFMV was successfully detected in 83.2 % (88 out of 106) samples by ELISA. The CP gene of thirteen isolates was amplified by RT-PCR and sequenced. Phylogenetic analyses indicated that all isolates belonged to the ‘russet crack’ strain of SPFMV. The virus was found in 21 sampling locations in the major sweetpotato growing areas. The widespread occurrence of SPFMV in sweetpotato suggests further investigations on disease epidemiology. There is also an urgent need to implement control measures in order to lessen impact of the disease on sweetpotato production.