Genomic Prediction of Cassava Mosaic Disease

Cassava (Manihot esculenta) is one of the most nutritionally important starchy root crops in the world, providing sustenance for around 800 million people globally. It has many desirable characteristics such as a high starch content, drought resistance, and a high yield per area which make it ideally suited to challenging environments.

In the production of cassava, cassava mosaic disease (CMD) is a major threat, causing losses between 12% and 82%, equating to about 30 million tons annually. Therefore, new insights into the drivers responsible for the disease development is an especially important aspect in cassava breeding.