Aspects off the epidemiology of okra leaf curl virus in Côte d'lvoire

Abstract

Transmission of okra leaf curl virus by seed or by mechanical inoculation was not demonstrated. Transmission by the whitefly vector Bemisia tabaci Genn. from okra to okra was successful but not from okra to cassava or N. benthamiana. The disease was more prevalent in the savannah area in the north of Côte d'lvoire than in the forest area to the south. The spatial distribution of infected plants and the whitefly vector led to gradients downwind from sources of infection.

Keywords:

• Okra leaf curl virus
• epidemiology
• Bemisia tabaci

Notes

Present address: IDESSA, BP 635, Bouaké, Côte d'lvoire.

Present address (to whom correspondence should be addressed): LPRC. CIRAD, BP 5035, 34032 Montpellier, France.