DEVELOPING MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES FOR NAPIER STUNT DISEASE Presented at the ASARECA/ILRI Workshop on Mitigating the Impact of Napier Grass Smut and Stunt Diseases, Addis Ababa, June 2-3, 2010 Zeyaur R. Khan and Charles A. O. Midega International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE), Nairobi, Kenya

Napier Stunt Disease (NSD) is caused by a phytoplasma (16SrXI) and is transmitted by a leafhopper, Maiestas (Recilia) banda. The disease is spread by the leafhopper as well as through distribution of infected Napier cuttings. There may be other grasses in the field which are refugia for the leafhopper and phytoplasma and may contribute to the spread of the disease. For developing a robust management strategy, we need to fully understand the biology of the disease and its vector.

STUNT RESISTANT NAPIER?

Bracharia sp. cv. Mulato

Star grass infected with the same phytoplasma which infects Napier grass Obura et al. 2010. New Disease Reports

Sugarcane Rice Pearl Millet Finger Millet CAN PHYTOPLASMA AFFECT FOOD CROPS?

Electrophoresis of Phytoplasma DNA in food crops A M 1 2 3 4 5 M 1 2 3 4 5 M 1 2 3 4 5 M 1 2 3 4 5 Rice Finger Millet Sugarcane Pearl Millet PHYTOPLASMA CAN INFECT FOOD CROPS Contact author for results

FACILITIES TO MAINTAIN CULTURE OF INSECT VECTOR NEEDED

A REGULAR SUPPLY OF NSECT VECTOR NEEDED

MAINTAINING OF DISEASED NAPIER PLANTS WITH ACCESSION NUMBERS NEEDED

CONTAINMENT FACILITIES FOR MAINTAINING PHYTOPLASMA-FREE NAPIER GRASS VARIETIES AND GRASSES ARE NEEDED

ROBUST DISEASE SCREENING TECHNIQUES ARE NEEDED

PHYTOPLASMA FREE CULTURE OF VECTOR IS NEEDED TO DO BACK TRANSMISSION STUDIES

TRACKING THE MOVEMENT OF INSECT VECTOR ON REGULAR BASIS IS NEEDED

PCR AND LAMP FACILITIES TO DETECT PHYTOPLASMA IN PLANTS AND INSECTS ARE NEEDED