A thesis presented to The Faculty of Science, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg in fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Molecular and Cell Biology 2015 / Cassava brown streak disease (CBSD) ranks among the top seven biological threats to global food security and is considered to be a major risk to food security in tropical Africa. In Uganda, overall CBSD incidence has increased by c. 20% since 2004, and persistently reduces cassava yields and storage root quality. Presently the disease negatively impacts the livelihoods of over 80% of the farming families who rely on cassava as a staple food and source of income. Two distinct ipomoviruses, Cassava brown streak virus (CBSV) and Ugandan cassava brown streak virus (UCBSV) cause CBSD. The viruses systemically infect primary host plants and accumulate, and cause severe disease symptoms as the plant matures, reducing yields through the induction of necrotic lesions in the storage roots and suppressing utility of cassava stems for subsequent vegetative propagation. Effective control strategies require screening of available germplasm for sources of natural resistance in combination with improved understanding of host-virus interaction to facilitate targeted breeding. Due to a lack of known sources of resistance to CBSD in the cassava germplasm, incorporating new virus resistance into existing cassava genotypes through transgenic RNA interference (RNAi) approaches offers an additional, relevant avenue to reduce the increasing impact of CBSD. The research presented in this thesis provides insights into the complex mechanisms of virus-host interactions linking genotype to phenotype in CBSV- and UCBSV-cassava pathosystems and provides proof of principle for CBSD control by RNAi-mediated technology. Both are contributions to progress towards potential control of the CBSD epidemic in East Africa. To correlate CBSD symptoms with virus titer, within-host CBSV and UCBSV accumulation was studied in leaf, stem and storage root samples collected from 10 genotypes of field-grown cassava with varied levels of resistance to CBSD. CBSV was found to be present in 100% of CBSD samples collected from symptomatic plants. Presence of both CBSV and UCBSV was seen in 45.3% of the samples. Quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) analysis showed that tolerant genotypes were infected with CBSV alone and accumulated lower virus titer compared to susceptible genotypes, which were co-infected with CBSV and UCBSV. To further comprehend the molecular interaction between CBSD viruses and cassava, deep sequencing was performed to compare profiles of virus-derived small RNAs (vsRNAs) in CBSV- and UCBSV-infected cassava genotypes of NASE 3 (CBSD tolerant), TME 204 and 60444 (CBSD susceptible). The results showed an abundance of 21-24 nt sized vsRNAs which when mapped were shown to cover the entire CBSV and UCBSV genomes. The 21- and 22-nt sizes were predominant compared to the 23- and 24-nt size classes. CBSV-infected plants accumulated higher populations of vsRNAs across the genotypes compared to UCBSV-infected plants, which accumulated moderate amounts of UCBSV-derived sRNAs in TME 204 and 60444, and insignificant amounts in UCBSV-challenged NASE 3, respectively. Quantitative RT-PCR analysis was performed to determine transcript levels of cassava homologues of Dicer (DCL) proteins, particularly DCL4 and DCL2, which are involved in the biogenesis of 21- and 22-nt small RNAs, and to correlate to the abundance of 21- and 22-nt vsRNAs in CBSV- and UCBSV-infected cassava. Similarly, RT-qPCR was performed to determine the expression of Argonaute (AGO) proteins, specifically AGO2 which preferentially sort and bind sRNAs with 5’ adenine (A) or uracil (U) to effector complexes to target mRNAs repression or cleavage, since in this study a major proportion of the vsRNAs were found to have A or U at the first 5’-end. Expression levels of cassava homologues of AGO2, DCL2 and DCL4, which are core components of the gene-silencing pathway, were found to be affected in virus-infected plants across all three genotypes. The levels of viral RNA and vsRNAs correlated with disease phenotype in infected plants. CBSV-infected plants showed more severe CBSD symptoms compared with UCBSV-infected plants of the same genetic background. These results showed that CBSV is more aggressive compared to UCBSV and supports the hypothesis of occurrence of genotype-specific resistance to CBSD viruses. The abundance of 21- and 22-nt vsRNAs in CBSV- and UCBSV-infected plants signifies the viruses activated the RNA-silencing mechanism, referred to as transcriptional or post-transcriptional gene silencing (TGS or PTGS). To test efficacy of RNAi-mediated resistance to control CBSD under field conditions, 14 lines of cassava plants transgenically modified to express, as inverted repeats, two RNAi constructs p718 and p719 targeting near full-length (894 bp) and N-terminal (402 bp) portions of UCBSV coat protein sequence were tested under confined field trial conditions at Namulonge, Uganda. Transgenic plants expressing p718 showed a 3-month delay in CBSD symptom development, while 100% of non-transgenic plants (n = 60) developed CBSD shoot symptoms. Over the 11-month trial duration, 98% of clonal replicates within line 718-001 were found to remain free of CBSD symptoms. RT-PCR analysis detected UCBSV within leaves of 57% of non-transgenic plants compared to only 0.5% across the 14 transgenic lines. Presence of the non-homologous CBSV was detected in all transgenic plants that developed CBSD symptoms. However, 93% of plants of line 718-001 were free of CBSV and UCBSV. At harvest, 90% of storage roots of non-transgenic plants showed severe necrosis, whereas plants of lines 718-001 and 718-005 showed significant suppression of CBSD. Line 718-001 had 95% of roots free from necrosis and was RT-PCR negative for presence of both viral pathogens. To determine durability of RNAi-mediated resistance to CBSD, stem cuttings were obtained from mature plants of lines p718-001, p718-002 and p718-005, replanted and monitored for 11 more months. CBSV but not UCBSV was detected in tissues of plants of lines p718-002 and p718-005, whereas all leaves and roots of p718-001 plants were free of CBSV and UCBSV. Thus, RNAi constructs conferred durable CBSD resistance across the vegetative cropping cycle, providing proof of concept for application of RNAi technology to control CBSD in farmers’ fields. The findings presented in this thesis contribute to understanding the complex interconnected mechanisms involved in CBSV- and UCBSV-host interactions and will contribute to the long-term goals of devising new methods of CBSD control.

A dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Science, University of the Witwatersrand, in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Science at the School of Molecular and Cell Biology, 2017 / Different host genes playing a role in replication, transcription and movement of geminiviruses have been identified, allowing a better understanding of host response during infection. The cytoskeletal protein myosin has been shown to associate with RNA viruses movement protein and mediate its movement, however no geminivirus association with myosin has been established. Arabidopsis thaliana nitric oxide associated protein 1 (AtNOA1), once thought to be an enzyme involved in a nitric oxide (NO) production, has been reported to be differentially regulated in response to biotic and abiotic stress. In this study we sought to identify the role that myosins and NOA1 play in the development of disease by south african cassava mosaic virus (SACMV). Using a bioinformatics approach, 24 myosin transcripts were identified in Nicotiana benthamiana, and phylogeny analysis revealed that seven were class VIII myosins and 17 class XI. Five myosins silencing constructs M15.1 (transcript Niben101Scf11288g00015.1), MYOSIN XI-F (M11.F), MYOSIN XI-K (M11.K), MYOSIN XI-2 (M11.2) and MYOSIN VIII.B were selected for silencing using a virus induced gene silencing (VIGS) approach with SACMV and TRV-VIGS vectors. At 14 days post inoculation (dpi), both SACMV and TRV-VIGS vectors successfully silenced myosins with SACMV-VIGS silencing all five and TRV-VIGS silencing all but M11. F. At 28 dpi, SACMV-VIGS induced silencing of myosin of only two myosins and TRV-VIGS three. TRV-VIGS was found to be more efficient at silencing as the suppression of myosin induced by TRV-VIGS was stronger than that of SACMV-VIGS. To assess the effect of myosin silencing on SACMV infectivity in a separate experiment, 7 dpi of silencing, N. benthamiana plants were challenged with SACMV and reduction of myosin expression was assessed as well as viral accumulation. TRV-VIGS did not induce any silencing of myosin at 14 dpi, and at 28 dpi, the expression of M11.K and M11.F were silenced. SACMV-VIGS induced silencing of M11.F at both 14 and 28 dpi. In TRV-VIGS silenced M11.K, viral load at 28 dpi was not lower than the control, however the fold increase in viral load at 28 dpi compared to 14 dpi was 3-fold (p value 0.03) for M11.K silenced TRV-VIGS plants and 86-fold for the control 6-fold for the M11.K suggesting that silencing of M11.K decreases the spread of SACMV. In TRV-VIGS silenced M11.K, viral load at 28 dpi was lower than the control (9-fold p value 0.03) and the increase in viral load at 28 dpi compared to 14 dpi was insignificant, suggesting that spreading of SACMV was also hampered. The reduction in myosin M11.F expression induced iv by SACMV-VIGS resulted in an increase in viral load compared to the control. We hypothesise that the increase in viral load observed in M11.F silenced plants induced by SACMV-VIGS is due to the perceived resistance of SACMV-VIGS control (SACMV-challenged no silencing construct) to SACMV-challenge, and therefore results from the SACMV-VIGS study were inconclusive. From the TRV-VIGS study however, we have identified two candidate myosins in N. benthamiana myosin XI-K and myosin XI-F as potential interactor of SACMV during infectivity. Further research into their role in the development of SACMV disease is warranted. Nitric oxide associated 1 (NOA1) in plants is a cyclic GTPase involved in protein translation in the chloroplast and has been indirectly linked to nitric oxide (NO) accumulation. To understand the role played by NOA1 in response to (SACMV) infection, a bioinformatics approach was used to identify NOA1 homologues in cassava T200. Using the cassava genome data on Phytozome, a putative NOA1 namely cassava 4.1_007735m, was identified. Based on its protein sequence, cassava4.1_007735m shared a 69.6% similarity to Arabidopsis NOA1 (AtNOA1). The expression of cassava4.1_007735.m (MeNOA1) and N. benthamiana NOA1 (NbNOA1) and the accumulation of NO in leaf samples was compared between SACMV-infected and non-infected at early infection stage (14 dpi for N. benthamiana and 28 dpi for cassava T200) and full systemic stage (28 dpi for N. benthamiana and 56 dpi for cassava T200). Real-time PCR was used to measure SACMV viral load which increased significantly by 2-fold (p value 0.05) from 14 to 28 dpi for N. benthamiana and 8-fold from 28 to 56 dpi in cassava T200 (p value 0.04) as chlorosis and symptom severity concomitantly progressed. At 14 and 28 dpi, NbNOA1 expression was significantly lower than mock inoculated plants (2-fold lower at 14 dpi, p value 0.01 and 4 fold lower at 28, (p value 0.00) and the abundance of NO in infected N. benthamiana leaf tissue was 10% lower at 14 dpi and 40% lower at 28 dpi when compared to mock inoculated. In cassava T200, MeNOA1 expression was unchanged at 28 dpi and NO levels were decreased by 40% and at 56 dpi, MeNOA1 expression was 4-fold lower and NO accumulation was 37 % higher than that of mock inoculated leaf tissue. At 28 dpi for N. benthamiana and 56 for cassava T200, the decrease in NOA1 expression was accompanied by chloroplast dysfunction, evident from the significant reduction in chlorophylls a and b and carotenoids in SACMV-infected leaf samples. Furthermore, the expression of v chloroplast translation factors (chloroplast RNA binding, chloroplast elongation factor G, translation initiation factor 3-2, plastid-specific ribosomal protein 6 and) were found to be repressed in infected N. benthamiana and infected cassava T200 relative to mock inoculated plants. GC-MS analysis showed a decrease in fumarate and an increase in glucose in SACMV-infected N. benthamiana in comparison to mock samples suggesting a decrease in carbon stores. Collectively, these results provide evidence that in response to SACMV infection in N. benthamiana, decrease in photopigment and carbon stores, accompanied by an increase in glucose and decrease in fumarate, lead to a decline in NbNOA1 and NO levels. This is manifested by suppressed translation factors, and disruption of the chloroplast, resulting in chlorotic disease symptoms. In cassava T200 however, the link could not be established as the level of glucose was not significantly decreased and fumaric acid was not detected and although the concomitant decrease in the expression of MeNOA1 and chloroplast translation factors indicate dysfunction of the chloroplast, the link between MeNOA1 expression, carbon store, NO and chloroplast activity could not be established. / XL2017

Cassava brown streak disease (CBSD) caused by two distinct ssRNA virus species (CBSV and UCBSV of genus Ipomovirus, family Potyviridae) and transmitted by whitefly (Bemisia tabaci), is a major constraint to cassava production in Africa, including Mozambique. In this research, two studies were conducted. First, in order to monitor the incidence, severity and geographical distribution of cassava brown streak disease and associated viruses in Mozambique, field surveys were performed in six cassava major growing provinces. A total of one hundred and fifteen fields and one hundred and forty six fields were surveyed in 2010 and 2012, respectively. The disease was only found in three of six provinces namely Zambezia, Nampula and Cabo Delgado. The CBSD incidence was highest (61.3% and 82.2% in 2010 and 2012, respectively) in Zambezia and lowest (23.6% and 35.1% in 2010 and 2012, respectively) in Cabo Delgado, with cultivars such as Cadri and Robero showing the highest susceptibility to CBSD, while Likonde and Amwalikampiche had relatively low CBSD incidence, illustrating some tolerance to the disease. The results, when compared to previous surveys conducted in 1999 and 2003, demonstrated that the disease is increasing, and replanting new fields with disease-affected cuttings could be responsible for the spread. The second aim of the study was to investigate the genetic diversity of Cassava brown streak viruses, based on analysis of partial sequences of the coat protein gene, in Mozambique. Collections of CBSD-symptomatic leaves were done between June 2010 and June 2012. Diagnostic RT-PCR, using specific primers to screen for the two species, revealed for the first time the presence of Uganda cassava brown streak virus (UCBSV) in Mozambique. UCBSV was found in mixed infections with CBSV, and only confined to a single province of Zambézia, while CBSV species were widely distributed. The phylogenetic analysis revealed two subgroups within CBSV, which were 6.7% divergent in nucleotide sequence. The heterogeneity observed among CBSV isolates in Mozambique suggests that in the future studies more sampling is needed to characterize strains and variants. Addtionally, sequencing of the full CP sequence of CBSaVs isolates is required, which may reveal even more diversity. Infectivity assays of cassava brown streak viruses (CBSV and UCBSV) were established using the host indicator plant Nicotiana benthamiana. Plant sap was extracted from infected cassava leaves and inoculated into N.benthamiana plants. CBSD-like symptoms were observed, and RT-PCR revealed the presence of CBSV in all samples, except for one which was co-infected with UCBSV and CBSV. This study provided further evidence that CBSaVs are efficiently transmitted to N.benthamiana. There is scanty information on alternative hosts, therefore more research is needed to identify other potential hosts of CBSaVs in order to develop an effective strategy to control CBSD.

A dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Science of the University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in full fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science, 2019 / Cassava, Manihot esculenta Crantz, is categorized as a food security crop, producing large starchy tubers that are gaining interest from both international and local agro-processing industries for products such as bioethanol, textiles, and food additives. However, cassava is currently under threat from a group of begomoviruses that cause cassava mosaic disease (CMD) in all countries in sub-Saharan Africa where cassava is cultivated. CMD can result in up to 100% crop loss. South African cassava mosaic virus (SACMV) is particularly a threat to the growing cassava industry in southern Africa. Despite extensive breeding programs over the past 70 years to develop CMD-resistant farmer-preferred cassava landraces, total resistance has not been achieved. Furthermore, the high mutational rates of begomoviruses, and mixed infections in the field, have exacerbated the problem. TME3 is a West African landrace that displays tolerance to begomoviruses, including SACMV. Infection of TME3 by SACMV leads to recovery, hallmarked by low virus loads and milder symptoms compared to a susceptible southern African landrace T200. The molecular processes that govern tolerance in crops, including cassava, are not well understood. However, systemic immune responses, which are controlled by hormoneresponsive transcription factors (TFs), are required by the plant to successfully combat an invading pathogen. Two different branches of systemic immunity have been described, namely systemic acquired resistance (SAR), facilitated by salicylic acid (SA) signalling, and induced systemic resistance (ISR), which is induced through jasmonic acid (JA) and ethylene (ET) signalling in the presence of beneficial rhizobacteria. In 2014, Allie et al. compared global transcriptomic responses occurring in TME3 and the T200 during early 12 days’ post inoculation (dpi), middle (32 dpi) and late (67 dpi) stages of SACMV infection. In order to give greater context to transcriptomic data, which is inheritably large and complex, network analysis may be implemented. By placing the differentially expressed (DE) gene homologs/orthologs identified from the cassava transcriptome datasets into protein-protein networks, functions of SACMV-responsive genes, interacting partners, and potential hubs, can be derived. Cassava gene functions are based on the model crop Arabidopsis thaliana, as despite the sequencing of the cassava genome, the annotations are incomplete. The aim of this study was to identify potential candidate TFs, and their associated hormones and other network partners, that confer either tolerance (TME3) or susceptibility (T200) to SACMV. / TL (2020)

Bemisia tabaci is the vector of cassava mosaic begomoviruses and cassava brown streak viruses which are main production constraints to cassava in sub-Saharan Africa. Current vector dynamics involved in the spread of both viruses in the region was established through comparison of the mitochondria cytochrome oxidase I DNA. Two distinct species were obtained: sub-Saharan Africa clade 1 (SSA1), comprising of two sub-clades (I & II), and a South West Indian Ocean Islands (SWIO) species. SSA1 sub-clade I whiteflies were widely distributed in East Africa. SSA1 sub-clade II whiteflies predominated the coast regions of Kenya, southern & coast regions of Tanzania and widespread in Uganda. SWIO whiteflies occurred in the coastal region of Kenya. This study also revealed that SSA1 sub-clade I haplotypes performed significantly better than SSA1 sub-clade II haplotypes with respect to mean number of eggs laid, developing instars and hatched adults on healthy, African cassava mosaic virus-[Tanzania:2001 ] and East African cassava mosaic Kenya virus-infected plants. There was no boost in whitefly numbers by the CMB-infected plants. The fecundity and development differences observed between SSA1 sub-clade I and II haplotypes have major epidemiology implications on the CMGs in the region

A thesis submitted to the Faculty of Science, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. Johannesburg, 2013. / Unable to load abstract.

A thesis submitted to the Faculty of Science, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the School of Molecular and Cell Biology. Johannesburg, 2015. / With rising global food prices, growing populations, climate change and future demand for tuber crops for feed and potential energy source, cassava is well positioned to meet the needs of many countries in the SADC region, including South Africa. However a major constraint to cassava cultivation is cassava infecting begomoviruses (CBVs), including African cassava mosaic virus (ACMV) and South African cassava mosaic virus (SACMV). ACMV and SACMV belong to the family Geminiviridae, comprising of circular single-stranded bipartite. Symptoms associated with CBVs infection include yellow and/or green mosaic, leaf deformation, leaf curling and stunted plant growth. Since no chemical control of virus diseases of plants is possible, one approach to develop virus resistance is via biotechnology, through genetic engineering (GE) of cassava to express hairpin RNA (hpRNA) silencing constructs against CBV. However cassava is recalcitrant and difficult to transform and regenerate. The aim of this study was to produce hpRNA/inverted repeat (IR) hpRNA constructs targeting ACMV AC1/4:AC2/3 open reading frames (ORF) and hpRNA targeting SACMV BC1 ORF to engineer hpRNA expressing transgenic cassava resistant to ACMV and SACMV. Furthermore, the approach was to stack two ACMV contiguous overlapping reading frames (AC1/4) and (AC2/3) in an attempt to improve resistance to CBV. However IR sequences are prone to unfavourable tight secondary structure formation known as cruciform structures. To circumvent this, one set of constructs (mutated sense-arm: mismatch constructs) were designed to contain sodium bisulfite deamination-induced mutations in the hairpin sense-arm making it less complementary to the antisense arm and therefore enhancing IR stability and cruciform junction formation. MM2hp (mismatch construct targeting ACMV AC1/4:AC2/3) and MM4hp (mismatch construct targeting SACMV BC1) were generated. The second construct set, non-mismatch: gateway, was designed based on the most currently used Gateway construct system. Gateway constructs contained an intron positioned between the IR fragments. MM6hp (non-mismatch construct targeting ACMV AC1/4:AC2/3) and MM6hp (non-mismatch construct targeting SACMV BC1) were generated. Similar to the deamination-induced mutations, the intron assisted with IR stability. ACMV- or SACMV-derived hpRNA constructs were transformed into model cassava cultivar cv.60444. Additionally, since few farmer-preferred cultivars or landraces have been transformed for resistance, South African high starch landrace T200 was also transformed with the hpRNA constructs. Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of friable embryogenic callus (FEC) was used and plants regenerated. Several transgenic cv.60444 and T200 lines were regenerated. Cassava landraces are generally less amenable to transformation however were able to report 79 % and 76 % for model cv.60444 and landrace T200, respectively. T200 transformation efficiency reported in this study is 43% higher than previously reported. This is also the first report of South African cassava landrace T200 transformation with ACMV and SACMV-derived hpRNA constructs. Transgenic lines were selected and infected with ACMV and SACMV infectious virus clones. Lines were then monitored at 12, 32 and 67 days post infection (dpi) for symptom development, plant growth and SACMV and ACMV viral load. At 67 dpi, a more significant difference between transgenic lines and untransformed infected cv.60444 was observed. At 67 dpi, 69 % and 75% of ACMV AC1/4:AC2/3 and SACMV BC1 transgenic lines, respectively, showed lower symptoms and reduced viral load compared to control susceptible wild-type cv.60444, but comparable to virus-challenged non-transgenic tolerant landrace control TME3. Notably, a lack of correlation between viral load and symptoms was not always observed. Plant to plant variation was observed between individual transgenic lines generated from each construct (MM2hp; MM4hp; MM6hp and MM8hp) transformation events (A-MM2, A-MM4, C-MM6 and C-MM8). However, overall a positive correlation between symptoms and viral load was observed for virus challenge trials of transgenic lines generated from A-MM4, C-MM6 and C-MM8 transformation events, this overall positive correlation was observed at all 3 dpi (12, 32 and 67 dpi). A number of ACMV and SACMV tolerant transgenic lines were obtained for both mismatch and non-mismatch hpRNA expressing transgenic lines, where virus replication persisted, but symptoms were lower at 67 dpi compared to non-transgenic plants. CBV tolerance levels observed in transgenic lines expressing mismatch technology hpRNA was not significantly different to CBV tolerance levels observed in transgenic lines expressing non-mismatch hpRNA. Expression of ACMV and SACMV- derived constructs generated tolerant cassava lines, where tolerance is defined as plants displaying virus replication but lower to no symptoms. In addition to this, a recovery phenotype was observed in five MM2hp (ACMV AC1/4:AC2/4)- derived hp expressing transgenic lines at 365 dpi, where recovery is defined as no to mild symptoms after an initial period of symptoms, and a reduction in or no viral load. In five MM4hp (SACMV BC1)-derived hpRNA expressing transgenic lines, complete recovery was observed at 365 dpi; no symptoms and no detectable virus. From this study we propose that expression of CBV- derived hpRNA targeting ACMV AC1/4:AC2/4 and SACMV BC1 in CBV susceptible cv.60444 enhances cv.60444 ACMV and SACMV tolerance. Mismatch (mutated sense-arm) construct technology offered tolerance levels comparable to the more conventional and more expensive non-mismatch (Gateway) technology. We therefore also propose that the use of mismatch hpRNA technology in cassava genetic engineering can be used as an alternative approach to transgenic crop production. Promising transgenic lines, showing moderate SACMV and ACMV resistance, were identified and these will be used in further trials as they could be considered favourable to farmers.

Cassava Manihot esculenta Crantz (Euphorbiaceae), is a source of food for more than 700 million people in developing countries and is cultivated in estimated global area of 18.6 million hectares with total annual production of 238 million tonnes. Diseases however, take a substantial toll of yield, with CMD being the most important disease and major constraint for cassava production in Tanzania and Africa. The disease causes an estimated loss of over US$ 14 million per annum. A study was undertaken in 2006/2007 to investigate the influence of satellite DNA molecules on severity of cassava begomoviruses and the breakdown of resistance to cassava mosaic disease (CMD) in Tanzania. The goal was to appraise the nature of resistance to CMD in indigenous and improved cassava cultivars in the presence of resistance-breaking satellites. Three specific aims were earmarked: to identify and characterize cassava mosaic virus isolates and satellite DNA molecules in major cassava growing areas of Tanzania; to screen cassava cultivars for resistance to begomoviruses in presence and absence of the satellite DNA molecules; and to determine the nature of interaction between begomovirus DNAs and Satellite DNA molecules in Nicotiana benthamiana. To achieve these aims, a survey was done in the major cassava growing areas of Tanzania to investigate occurrence of cassava mosaic begomoviruses and associated satellites namely, SatDNA-II and SatDNA-III. Stems from plants showing CMD symptoms were collected from field. The stems were re-planted in screenhouse to study more about the symptoms. Symptomatic leaves from sprouting cuttings were collected for DNA extraction to be used in two downstream assays - amplification of EACMV, ACMV, SatDNA-II and SatDNA-III by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequencing. In another experiment to evaluate cassava cultivars for resistance to CMD in presence of satellites, stem cuttings of the classical CMD-resistant cultivars were planted in greenhouse. Infectious clones of EACMV-TZ and EACMV-UG2 comprising both DNA-A and DNA-B components of bipartite begomoviruses (EACMV-TZ and EACMV-UG2) as well as infectious clones of SatDNA-II and SatDNA-III were bombarded onto the greenhouse cassava plants using a gene gun. Emerging disease symptoms on inoculated plants were scored using standard procedure. Total nucleic acid extraction from the inoculated plants was done and PCR was performed to amplify AC1 and βC1 genes as well as full length SatDNA-II and SatDNA-III. Southern blot analysis was performed to determine the presence of AC1, βC1, SatDNA-II and SatDNA-III on the DNA. In order to study interaction between cassava mosaic begomovirus (EACMV-TZ) and satellites, infectious clones of EACMV-TZ (DNA-A and DNA-B) and that of SatDNA-II and SatDNA-III were used. The clones (DNAs) were used to infect Nicotiana benthamiana by abrasion. Inoculated plants were covered with a plastic dome and placed in insect-free growth chamber for symptom development, which were scored on a standard scale of 1 to 5. Total DNA was extracted from the N. benthamiana leaves and used for Southern blot analysis. Results from the field survey showed that disease incidences varied from 60 to 90% in the Lake Victoria Zone and from 10 to 90% in the Eastern Zone. Cultivar Lyongo had the highest disease symptom severity in the Lake Victoria Zone while in the Eastern zone plants with high severity levels were from cvs Maiza and Tabora. In the screenhouse, some sprouted cuttings remained healthy up to 16 days after planting (DAP) and others recovered from the disease. Reversion was also observed in some cultivars. Using PCR, East African cassava mosaic Tanzania virus (EACMV-TZ) was amplified from 72.8% of tested samples while African cassava mosaic virus (ACMV) was amplified from 4.3%. Five percent of plants had dual infection of the two viruses. While ACMV was detected in samples collected from Lake Victoria, EACMV-TZ was mostly found on samples from the Eastern zone. Sequencing showed the presence of two new virus isolates: EACMV-TZ [TZ113] and EACMV-TZ [TZ108]. Seventy five percent of plants, which showed reversion of symptoms, contained SatDNA-II. It was found that full length SatDNA-II occurred in both zones, while SatDNA-III was exclusive to the Lake Zone. Multiple DNA bands were noted in PCR agarose gels, more so in SatDNA-II than SatDNA-III. For SatDNA-II, the multiple bands were more evident for samples collected from Eastern zone than for those from the Lake Zone. Using primers based on expressed sequence tags (EST-primers) for SatDNA-II (895 bp) and SatDNA-III (306 bp), genome integrated forms of the satellites were amplified from 68% and 71.17% of samples, respectively. Thirty percent of the samples showed co-infection of the satellites. While EST-primers for detection of the integrated forms of SatDNA-III produced single bands on gels, those of SatDNA-II still produced additional bands, most noteworthy being the closely spaced „double bands‟. Upon sequencing, the satellite DNA isolates showed similarity with sequences deposited in the genebank and bearing accession numbers AY836366 and AY836367 for SatDNA-II and SatDNA-III isolates, respectively. Alignment reports (Clustal W) revealed presence of GC-rich regions, TATA protein binding motifs (TATAAAT) and CAAT boxes as well as poly (A) signal. GC-rich regions in SatDNA-II were mostly trinucleotides (CGC) and hexanucleotides (CCGCCG) while in SatDNA-III the regions were trinucleotides (CGC) and pentanucleotides (CCGCC). Following biolistic inoculation, five-week scoring for the symptoms showed that plants from cvs AR37-92, CR27-24 and AR16-3 remained symptomless while plants from cv T200 were symptomatic. PCR amplification of βC1 gene five weeks post inoculation (wpi) gave PCR products in 19.6% of the samples while AC1 was amplified from only two plants. Full-length SatDNA-II was amplified from 70% of DNA samples, mostly from plants in which a begomovirus was co-inoculated with SatDNA-II. Amplification of full-length SatDNA-III from bombarded plants was unsuccessful. Amplification of integrated fragments of SatDNA-II from bombarded plants using EST-primers gave a PCR product in 93.7% of the samples. PCR amplification of the fragments from DNAs extracted from plants of cvs AR17-5 and CR27-24 previously inoculated with EACMV-TZ + SatDNA-II and EACMV-UG2 + SatDNA-III, respectively, gave closely spaced bands on 13% of the DNA samples. Amplification of integrated forms of SatDNA-III gave bands in 52.4% of samples. Probing for full-length SatDNA-II, SatDNA-III and AC1 from DNAs extracted from plants pre-inoculated with these DNAs using DIG- labeled probes gave hybridization signals in 60%, 83% and 68% of the samples, respectively. Further analysis of the signals in the context of screening suggested that cvs AR37-92 and AR37-96 were highly resistant to CMD while cv AR40-10 was susceptible. In the interaction experiment, Nicotiana benthamiana plants inoculated with an infectious clone of EACMV-TZ developed moderate CMD symptoms 7 days post inoculation (dpi) with symptoms consisting of leaf distortion and moderate stunting of plants. There were also plants which recovered from the symptoms by 35 dpi. Plants inoculated with EACMV-TZ + SatDNA-II produced similar symptoms with N. benthamiana plants developing symptoms 7 dpi that became severe by 14 dpi and without recovery even after 35 dpi. Very severe symptoms were also observed when N. benthamiana plants were inoculated with EACMV-TZ + SatDNA-II + SatDNA-III. Plants inoculated with SatDNA-II or SatDNA-III alone remained asymptomatic even after 35 dpi. Southern blot analysis showed clear increase in DNA accumulation when EACMV-TZ was inoculated together with both SatDNA-II and SatDNA-III as compared to when EACMV-TZ was inoculated alone or with SatDNA-II only and probed with EACMV-TZ. In conclusion, symptom recovery and reversion of symptoms in screenhouse plants is associated with virus resistance. There is a wide occurrence of satellites (SatDNA-II and SatDNA-III) across the sampled regions consistent with distribution of their helper cassava begomoviruses. The satellites are of a wider occurrence and diversity in Eastern zone than elsewhere in the country. The occurrence of SatDNA-III was not confined to the Lake zone as previously thought. There is evidence for satellite sequence integration into host plant genome, a further indication that the satellites are wider spread in cassava germplasm than earlier conceptualized. In few instances, both SatDNA-II and SatDNA-III isolates co-existed in the same plant though its effect on symptom enhancement could not be immediately established. The observed recovery in screening studies is thought to result from resistance introduced in the plant materials involved. Since labeled probes for satellites that were used in hybridization had been prepared from satellite sequences considered to be integrated, the hybridization signals did not depend on whether the leaf samples were picked from symptomatic or asymptomatic plants. From the study, three observations clearly suggest that SatDNA-II and SatDNA-III are biologically functional and that their effects on host plants are distinctly different. The study has demonstrated enhanced cassava begomovirus symptoms in N. benthamiana in the presence of satellite DNA molecules. This is the first detailed study undertaken to highlight the occurrence and role played by satellite DNA molecules in breaking the resistance to CMD of cassava cultivars grown in Tanzania. Keywords: Cassava mosaic disease, Cassava mosaic begomoviruses, Satellite DNA molecules, Tanzania.

High, intermediate and low virulent strains of Xanthomonas campestris pv. manihotis were isolated from cassava fields in Nigeria. Resistance to cassava bacterial blight (CBB) increased with age. CBB was established by as little as 10('4) CFU/mL inoculum, but general symptom severity and lesion length differences between resistant, intermediate and susceptible cultivars were greatest with 10('6) CFU/mL and leaf wilting with 10('8) CFU/mL. CBB increased shoot dry weight and foliar ion leakage; this increase was greater for potassium and magnesium than for sodium and calcium. Pathogen multiplication in leaves was least in the resistant cultivar and it spread to the stem only in the susceptible one. CBB reduced liquid flow in stem of resistant, intermediate and susceptible cultivars by 43, 35 and 96%, respectively. Flow in the healthy susceptible cultivar was double that in the more resistant cultivars. The number of non-functional vascular bundles in diseased plants was negatively correlated with liquid absorption and translocation.

Spine title: Interactions between plants and mites / Includes journal article by the author / Bibliography: leaves [1]-[9] / viii, 98, [110] leaves : ill. (some col.) ; 30 cm. / Title page, contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University Library. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, 1988