Infestation and Damage Assessment of the Cassava Whitefly (Bemisia tabaci) on Cassava Varieties in Anambra State, South East Nigeria

Cassava whitefly (Bemisia tabaci) is a primary vector of cassava mosaic disease and cassava brown streak disease, both of which significantly reduce tuber yield and quality in Nigeria. Anambra State is among Nigeria's leading cassava-producing states, supplying gari and other processed products to urban markets in the South East. This study assesses whitefly infestation levels and associated damage on five cassava varieties planted in Anambra State during the main growing season. Field experiments will be conducted at sites in Awka South, Oyi, and Nnewi North LGAs. Yellow sticky traps will be deployed to monitor whitefly adult populations, while leaf samples will be taken for nymph counts. Virus symptom expression (mosaic and chlorosis) will be rated on a 1 to 5 damage index. Yield data will be collected at harvest to estimate economic loss attributable to whitefly-mediated virus transmission. Statistical comparisons between varieties will use ANOVA with Tukey's post hoc tests. The study will identify cassava varieties with field resistance to whitefly infestation, providing data useful to the National Root Crops Research Institute breeding program. Keywords: cassava whitefly, Bemisia tabaci, cassava mosaic disease, Anambra State, variety resistance