Plant viruses are very difficult to recognise in nature. As viruses has the ability to infect a host plant and yet remain asymptomatic is very common in agriculture. This causes a rise in concern when the production levels of important crops are reduced by 90% (Mukasa et el,2003). As developing nations and especially climate-affected countries rely on climate-resilient crops, these sweetpotatoes are constantly at risks of infection by the sweetpotato viruses. The asymptomatic nature of these viruses makes it difficult to identify on time. As sweetpotato viruses have been found globally, this has yet to be studied in Fiji. The importance of sweetpotato has been crucial for as it provides various nutrition and minerals to the Fijians.
In this study sites of the study were chosen in Central, Western, Nothern and Eastern divisions, and the samples were collected and tested against specific sweetpotato virus primers(DNA/RNA). Various samples showed no symptoms, which were then grafted in the exported weed the Ipomoea setosa. The I.setosa belongs to the same Brazilian morning glory family as Ipomoea batatas (L) lam. These weeds were able to enhance the virus titres and express the symptoms of the viruses. The expressed symptoms were recorded and studied as a confirmation of various viruses present in Fiji. This study concluded viruses such as Sweetpotato leaf, sweetpotato caulimovirus and sweetpotato badnavirus could be present in Fiji. The concept of using I.setosa as a tool for virus identification can be used to detect other viruses found in Fiji which has the potential to harm other economic crops in Fiji. The study has scope for more research in the country and to contribute towards the clean seed system for sweetpotato viruses in Fiji.