Validating a cassava production spatial disaggregation model in sub-Saharan Africa.

Cassava is a staple in the diet of millions of people in sub-Saharan Africa, as it can grow in poor soils with limited inputs and can withstand a wide range of environmental conditions, including drought. Previous studies have shown that the distribution of rural populations is an important predictor of cassava density in sub-Saharan Africa's landscape. Our aim is to explore relationships between the distribution of cassava from the cassava production disaggregation models (CassavaMap and MapSPAM) and rural population density, looking at potential differences between countries and regions.

Developing a predictive model for an emerging epidemic on cassava in sub-Saharan Africa.

The agricultural productivity of smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is severely constrained by pests and pathogens, impacting economic stability and food security. An epidemic of cassava brown streak disease, causing significant yield loss, is spreading rapidly from Uganda into surrounding countries. Based on sparse surveillance data, the epidemic front is reported to be as far west as central DRC, the world's highest per capita consumer, and as far south as Zambia.

Expansion of the cassava brown streak pandemic in Uganda revealed by annual field survey data for 2004 to 2017.

Cassava brown streak disease (CBSD) is currently the most devastating cassava disease in eastern, central and southern Africa affecting a staple crop for over 700 million people on the continent. A major outbreak of CBSD in 2004 near Kampala rapidly spread across Uganda. In the following years, similar CBSD outbreaks were noted in countries across eastern and central Africa, and now the disease poses a threat to West Africa including Nigeria - the biggest cassava producer in the world.

Tree Lab: Portable genomics for Early Detection of Plant Viruses and Pests in Sub-Saharan Africa.

In this case study we successfully teamed the PDQeX DNA purification technology developed by MicroGEM, New Zealand, with the MinION and MinIT mobile sequencing devices developed by Oxford Nanopore Technologies to produce an effective point-of-need field diagnostic system. The PDQeX extracts DNA using a cocktail of thermophilic proteinases and cell wall-degrading enzymes, thermo-responsive extractor cartridges and a temperature control unit. This closed system delivers purified DNA with no cross-contamination.

Eleven years of breeding efforts to combat cassava brown streak disease.

Cassava ( Crantz) production is currently under threat from cassava brown streak disease (CBSD), a disease that is among the seven most serious obstacles to world's food security. Three issues are of significance for CBSD. Firstly, the virus associated with CBSD, has co-evolved with cassava outside its center of origin for at least 90 years.