Both have (+)ss RNA genomes, belong to the genus Ipomovirus in the family Potyviridae, and produce generally similar symptoms in infected plants.

[5] CBSD is characterized by severe chlorosis and necrosis on infected leaves, giving them a yellowish, mottled appearance.

Also, a dry brown-black necrotic rot of the cassava tuber exists, which may progress from a small lesion to the whole root.

[2][7] After a period of ambiguity among researchers, the consensus is that the most likely candidate of CBSD vector is Bemisia tabaci biotype B, the silverleaf whitefly.

Both juvenile and adult whiteflies feed on the phloem of the leaves by inserting a sucker mouth part into the leaf, thereby transmitting the virus to the plant.

[13] After its first identification in 1936, CBSD was almost totally eliminated in Uganda due to program efforts, and there were relatively small yield losses in affected areas.

Because the disease does not fan out from only one source point, but rather appears in remote areas, or “hot spots,” models are difficult to devise.

Furthermore, screening for resistance in farmer-preferred cassava genotypes in Africa is crucial for effective CBSD control and management.

[7] Ugandan cassava brown streak virus is a causing agent of CBSD and was the first member of the genus Ipomovirus to be cloned and rescued using a plasmid cDNA vector system.

A recent study demonstrated that inducing the expression of hairpin RNA homologous to viral sequences is a potentially effective lab technique because it imitates the behavior of the plant immune system encountering foreign bodies.

Therefore, the suggestion is that exploiting the immune system of plants that already have natural resistance to CMV is a potentially viable method to combat both viruses.

The identification of the foliar symptoms is important, because farmers can get a more accurate yield expectation without waiting for the harvest period.

Cassava is a very important staple crop for many in Africa, and the demand for it increases with high population growth rates.

It is estimated that African farmers collectively lose revenue of up to $100 million annually due to the devastating disease.