Papaya ringspot virus disease in the Lake Victoria basin.

In 1999/2000, papaya ring spot virus disease was found in 70% of the surveyed locations in the Lake Victoria basin. Incidence averaged 51% and ranged from 4% to 100% in Tanzania and 20% to 30% in Uganda. Only 16% of farmers recognized PRSD and only 4% attempted control measures. PRSD caused moderate to severe leaf mottle, distortion and mosaic, and affected plants had smaller fruits that showed irregular, dark green ring spots. Aphid population was low, with only 0.18 aphids/plant. Papaya ring spot potyvirus was identified in 23 affected samples, the first time it has been found in East Africa.