INCIDENCIA DE VIROSIS EN ÑAME (Dioscorea spp.) EN CINCO MUNICIPIOS DEL DEPARTAMENTO DE SUCRE, COLOMBIA.

In Colombia, yams (Dioscorea spp.) are grown in the Caribbean region, with Dioscorea alata L. and Dioscorea rotundata Poir. most cultivated species. One of the limiting factors in these crops are diseases caused by viruses, especially by Potyvirus that cause decreased production of tubers and significant economic losses. The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence of yams viruses in the department of Sucre. Visits were made to crops Dioscorea alata and Dioscorea rotundata in five municipalities in the department and the presence of foliar symptoms was registered. Leaf samples were taken and Potyvirus diagnosis was performed by ELISA-DAS indirect technique. Furthermore, indicator plants were inoculated with extracts prepared from plants with viral symptoms and Potyvirus positive. All crops visited showed symptoms associated with Potyvirus yam, such as banding, mottling, chlorosis and leaf deformation. The municipalities with the highest symptomatic incidence were Sampués (82.5%), Sincelejo (79.5%) and San Juan de Betulia (71.6%). Potyvirus was detected in symptomatic plants and indicator plants, where developed symptoms similar to those found in the field. Crops yam of department of Sucre present high incidence of Potyvirus what would cause economic losses to producers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]