Aroids (Colocasia and Xanthosoma)

Edible aroids are predominantly cultivated and utilized in Asia, Americas, Central and West Africa, and South Pacific Island countries. So far, 26 different virus species from 10 different families and 13 different genera have been reported infecting aroids. Of these, Dasheen mosaic virus, Taro bacilliform virus, Colocasia bobone disease–associated Cytorhabdovirus, and Calla lily chlorotic spot Orthotospovirus are among the most economically important. Alomae is a lethal disease, which can cause up to 100% production loss in taro. However, it has so far only been reported from Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands. Due to the vegetative propagation of aroids, managing viral diseases can be challenging. Integrated disease management efforts combining plant pathology, entomology, agronomy, plant biotechnology, and breeding should be considered to control viral diseases in aroids.