Assessments of Sweet potato Virus Disease and Influence of Mulching and Organic Insecticide on Sweet Potato Varieties in Kwara State of Nigeria

Assessments of 30 sweet potato farms in three districts of Kwara State of Nigeria were carried out to evaluate the incidence of sweet potato virus disease (SPVD). A serological study by Antigen-coated plate enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ACP-ELISA) was set up to assay six viruses on sweet potato samples. A field experiment to appraise the influence of variety, mulch and organic insecticide on virus incidence was performed on two genetically improved sweet potato varieties. The surveys revealed the occurrence of SPVD in all locations with incidence from 2.6% in Oyun (Kwara Central district) to 39.1% in Agbamu (Kwara South district). The serology test confirmed the predominance of Sweet potato feathery mottle virus (SPFMV) and Sweet potato chlorotic stunt virus (SPCSV) correspondingly as 100% and 30% respectively in the study. The field experiment indicated lower virus disease incidence (15.3%) and increased numbers in storage roots (7.5/plant) and weight of storage roots (32.4 kg/plant) in Orange Fleshed Sweet Potato variety, mulched with organic insecticidal treatment. This is the first authentication of the occurrence and prevalence of sweet potato virus disease in Kwara State, Nigeria. The study recommends Orange Fleshed Sweet Potato variety, mulching with guinea corn stalk and organic insecticide application for sustainable management of SPVD, particularly for resource-poor farmers.