Maize streak virus

The virus causes a white to yellowish streaking on the leaves. The streaks are very narrow, more or less broken and run parallel along the leaves.

The virus is transmitted by leafhoppers (Cicadulina mbila and C. bipunctella zeae). Maize streak virus is a serious constraint to maize production in sub-Saharan Africa. The reduction in yields depends on the time of infection. Plants infected at early stage usually do not produce any cobs. Yield losses in East Africa vary between 33 and 55% under natural infection conditions. In Nigeria, 75-100% of maize plants can be infected at the end of the growing season. However, resistant varieties in these areas appear to withstand these epidemics (Anon., 1983). Sugarcane, sorghum, millet, wheat, barley, oats, rye and wild grasses can also be severely affected.