Strategies for Sustainable Control of Viral Diseases of Some Crops in Nigeria

ABSTRACT A number of chemical and non-chemical control strategies have been recommended by researchers and extension specialists for the control of plant virus diseases in Nigeria. The non-chemical strategies include quarantine regulations, removal of sources of inoculum, manipulation of planting dates, plant spacing, use of immune, resistant, or tolerant varieties, crop rotation, intercropping, trap cropping, mechanical barriers and early maturing varieties. The chemical strategies involve the use of pesticides for the control of pests both in the nursery and field. This paper reviews a brief background of each virus and the strategies explored so far in Nigeria for the control of some of the cereals, legumes and vegetable viral diseases.