Cassava Mosaic Disease Control

About

Opportunity Genetically modified Cassava which is resistant to Cassava Mosaic Disease (CMD) for a more robust crop with decreased plant disease burden and increased yields. Cassava is one of the world's most important food crops with uses in various fields. Cassava cubes are used mainly in the compounding of livestock feeds, processed cassava serves as industrial raw material for starch which is used in the production of adhesives, bakery products, dextrin, dextrose glucose, lactose and sucrose. Food and beverage industries use cassava products in the production of a number of products, as well as in cosmetic and drug production. Cassava is increasingly popular with farmers, particularly in countries of tropical Africa because of its agricultural advantages and potential to feed rapidly increasing populations.  CMD, a viral infection of cassava crops threatens cassava production levels, especially in Southern Africa, and technologies to overcome the effects of CMD are required. Wits researchers are using a novel genetic approach to develop a CMD resistant crop.  Double stranded RNA hairpin duplexes are used to switch off the mechanisms by which the disease would grow and multiply once it has attacked the cassava. Key Benefits Genetically modified cassava varieties resistant to CMD Higher production yields due to disease resistance Current Status Biofuels, animal feed, glue, etc. Food and related food-products crop Applications Greenhouse trials on different transgenic cassava constructs are underway to determine and quantify efficacy. Registered Intellectual Property Status This technology is the subject of granted patents in South Africa, USA, Australia and ARIPO patents and a patent application pending patent in Europe. Lifetime of patent remaining: 14 years Principal Researchers Patrick Arbuthnot and Chrissie Rey Likely Route to Market This technology will ideally be licensed. Funding/Licensee Required Licensees are sought to evaluate and/or to conduct further field trials.