Edith Avedi obtained B.Sc in Agricultural Education and Extension from Egerton University in 2001 and a Masters degree in Crop Protection from Masinde Muliro University in 2013. She conducted her PhD degree in Crop Protection specializing in molecular plant virology from the University of Nairobi. She currently works at Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service which is the National Plant Protection Organization of Kenya. She conducts Pest Risk Analysis and coordinates phytosanitary monitoring and quarantine issues. She also conducts research in molecular characterization of pathogens, development and validation of diagnostic protocols of pathogens and market requirements for plants and plant products. The ultimate goal is to prevent introduction of alien pathogens and pests into Kenya and to facilitate safe trade. She also conducts capacity building of stakeholders and staff on various phytosanitary aspects. Her interest is in establishing collaboration with researchers in areas of mutual interest. Precisely in: High throughput sequencing, plant-virus-vector interactions, phytosanitary requirements, Pest Risk Analysis and capacity development and novel disease control methods
Abstract
Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) is an important vegetable cultivated worldwide because of its commercial and high nutritional value. In Kenya, tomato is predominantly cultivated by small scale farmers but its production viruses such as Tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV) which belongs to the genus Begomovirus. TYLCV is transmitted by Bemisia tabaci in a persistent manner. This study aimed at contributing to the development of sustainable management strategies of tomato yellow leaf curl disease in tomato crops in Kenya by determining the genetic diversity of Tomato yellow leaf curl virus present, that of associated vectors and the response of commonly grown tomato varieties to TYLCV. A field survey was carried out in eight major tomato growing regions in Kenya between September and December 2018 and January to March 2019. Samples were analyzed using metagenomics and findings of this study indicate that Tomato yellow leaf curl disease is present in all tomato growing regions though with variations in disease incidences and severity. The disease is caused by Tomato leaf curl Arusha virus and other begomoviruses but not TYLCV as earlier reported. The epidemiology of the disease in Kenya needs further research.
Important Links
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4377-4431
Research Supervisors
Dr. Dora Kilalo
Prof. Florence Olubayo
Dr. Isaac Macharia
