African cassava mosaic virus (ACMV, ICTV approved acronym) is a plant pathogenic virus of the family Geminiviridae that may cause either a mosaic appearance to plant leaves, or chlorosis (a loss of chlorophyll). In Manihot esculenta (cassava), the most produced food crop in Africa, the virus causes severe mosaic. Cassava is a staple food crop in many places throughout the tropics and subtropics as a source of carbohydrates, but the transmission and severity of disease for cassava in Africa is greatest with ACMV.

Vectors

African cassava mosaic virus is vectord by a whitefly, Bemisia tabaci.

Impact

ACMV and Cassava brown streak are the greatest drags on cassava in Africa.

Control

A transgenic cassava with donated from Tectaria macrodonta would protect against the whitefly vector.