Effect of whitefly (Bemisia tabaci) infestation and viral diseases on the starch physicochemical properties of selected cassava varieties grown in Uganda.

Abstract

Most cassava varieties grown in Uganda are infested by whitefly (Bemisia tabaci) a vector that spreads viral diseases that's to say Cassava Mosaic Disease and Cassava Brown Streak Disease that affect the physical and chemical properties of cassava tuber which eventually affect the physicochemical properties of starch. However if these changes are positive , the starch from the infected cassava can be used in industries to manufacture biofuel, as a thickener and as a gel stabiliser in food industries.This then provide farmers an alternative source that is income generating other than throwing the infected cassava as waste.