Laboratory diagnostic for cassava rotting pathogens across major production regions of Cameroon

Laboratory diagnosis of cassava rotting-associated pathogens was done following field survey conducted in three regions of the humid forest zone Cameroon. Results showed that seven fungi genera Aspergillus, Rhizopus, Geotridium, Fusarium, Macrophomina, Neoscytalidium, and Botryodiplodia and six bacteria species Sphingobacterium spiritivorum, Burkholderia cepaci, Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Pseudomonas luteola, Aeromonas hydrophilae/caviae, and Enterobacter cloacae were found to be associated with cassava rotting. In most cases both fungus-and bacteria were concomitantly associated to cassava rotting. Three fungal species (Aspergillus sp, Fusarium sp., Macrophomina sp and one bacteria (Pseudomonas sp) were identified amongst possible pathogens associated with CRND in DRC, although we cannot conclude that it is the same disease prevailing in Cameroon considering the high rate of wet rot. Exploring other agroecological zones, abiotic factors and plant physiology are needed to complete this preliminary diagnosis of cassava rotting while further analysis using molecular tools is warranted to ascertain the identity of isolated pathogens.