Effects of Viruses (SPVD) on Growth and Yield of Sweet Potato

Abstract

SUMMARY Sweet potato ( Ipomoea batatas L.) virus disease (SPVD) causes severe disease symptoms of various combinations of leaf strapping, vein-clearing, puckering and stunting. The disease is widespread, especially in Africa, and yield is adversely affected, though there are no figures to quantify this effect nor is it known how yield is affected. Loss of tuberous root yield due to SPVD was studied in sweet potato showing symptoms of the disease. Slips were obtained from plants with and without symptoms and two yield trials in 2 years were conducted by planting them alternately in rows. Yield of fresh tubers was reduced by 78% in plants showing SPVD symptoms but the reduced chlorophyll level of diseased leaves did not appear to affect yield.