The Groundnut Rosette Disease at a Glance: Basics, Management and the Future

Groundnut (Arachis hypogea L.) is an allotetraploid derived from hybridization of the ancestors Arachis duranensis and Arachis ipaensis), followed by spontaneous chromosome doubling. The crop is predominately grown under low-input production system with an average yield ranging between 700 to 900 Kgha^-1. Yields are low, and several biotic and abiotic factors, constraint the production. The groundnut rosette disease, caused by synergistic interaction of three viral components, is considered to be the most devastating where it is grown in Africa. The disease is spread by aphid in a persistent manner. The use of aphid and virus resistant cultivars is the most economical means to control the disease. Few reports on DNA markers linked to GRD resistance are available and effort is needed to identify more DNA markers to assist future breeding programmes. Understanding the host-vector-disease interaction at the molecular level would form a stronger basis to breed for resistance while adapting modern technologies. Efforts to identify resistant sources, development of resistant cultivars and identification of DNA marker linked to resistance has been underway and substantial progress made though not fully. A multidisciplinary approach is necessary to contribute towards understanding the dynamics of the disease in different countries within SSA so as to resolve the underlying causes of the epidemic.