Cassava bacterial blight (CBB)

The most important bacterial disease of cassava is cassava bacterial blight (CBB). This disease was first recorded in Brazil but was later reported in Colombia and observed in several other countries in South America and Africa. Symptoms of this disease are leaf spotting, wilting, dieback and gum exudation on young shoots. Vascular strands of infected petioles and stem necrose appear as brown strings. The bacterium is spread by the use of infected planting material and infected tools. The disease spreads rapidly during the rainy season because of rain splash. The disease can be eradicated by removing and burning all plant debris, using healthy planting material, preventing the movement of people, tools and planting material from infected to clean areas, and using resistant cultivars. (CIAT)