Floristic composition of the cocoa farms infected with the cocoa swollen shoot disease virus (CSSDV) in Marahoué region in the central west of Côte d'Ivoire

Abstract

Objective: The overall objective of this study is to develop methods of combatting the cocoa swollen shoot disease. Specifically, it aims to know the floristic composition of the infected cocoa farms in order to identify the host range of the cocoa swollen shoot disease virus (CSSDV) in these farms.

Methodology and Results: The study consisted in floristic surveys conducted in Bouaflé and Sinfra districts, in the Marahoué region in the central west part of Côte d’Ivoire. In each district, infected localities were selected and two infected farms in each locality were chosen for the study. So, 48 infected farms were surveyed using the itinerant inventory method.

Conclusions and application of findings: The surveys identified 253 plant species in the infected farms. These species were grouped into 191 genera and 67 botanical families. Among the 253 species, eight are known as CSSDV reservoirs according to the studies held in Ghana, Togo and Nigeria. These species are Bombax buonopozense P. Beauv. (Bombacaceae), Ceiba pentandra (L.) Gaertn. (Bombacaceae), Cola gigantea var glabrescens Brenan et Keay (Sterculiaceae), Commelina erecta L. (Commelinaceae), Corchorus olitorius L. (Tiliaceae), Pterygota macrocarpa K Schum. (Sterculiaceae), Spondias mombin L. (Anacardiaceae), Sterculia tragacantha Lindl. (Sterculiaceae) L. These species are probably the source of infection in cocoa plantations and must therefore be well known to farmers and other stakeholders. Based on our result an illustrated catalogue can be design for the virus reservoirs recognition. This catalogue can be used to strengthen farmers' knowledge of virus management. Several other weeds are ideal refuges for mealybugs. They must be identified and avoided when creating new farms.