The causes and control of virus diseases of sweetpotato in developing countries: is sweetpotato virus disease the main problem

Virus diseases can pose a significant constraint to sweetpotato production (Mukibii, 1977; Hahn 1979). As a result of the historical neglect of sweetpotato research in most developing countries, our knowledge of sweetpotato viruses, their importance, distribution, and control are still rather limited. However, recent studies on the occurrence of sweetpotato viruses in a number of countries are helping to clarify our understanding of the global importance of sweetpotato viruses, and to define control strategies. An array of complementary techniques are being used. They include diagnostic methods for the detection of specific viruses, pathogen-tested planting materials for the assessment of yield loss due to viruses, and host plant resistance to virus diseases.