Maize stripe

Maize stripe is a viral plant disease caused by the Maize stripe virus (MStV), which belongs to the Tenuivirus genus. This pathogen poses a significant threat to global cereal production, leading to stunted growth, reduced grain filling, and substantial economic losses for farmers.

The primary hosts of this virus are maize and sorghum. The virus is systemic, meaning it spreads throughout the vascular tissues of the plant, disrupting photosynthesis and nutrient transport, which ultimately causes the classic chlorotic symptoms observed in the field.

The most visible symptoms include narrow, chlorotic or white stripes running parallel along the leaf veins. In severe cases, the entire foliage may appear bleached. Infected plants exhibit shortened internodes, poor ear development, and often fail to produce viable grain, leading to severe yield decline.

The disease is transmitted by the planthopper Peregrinus maidis. The transmission process is persistent and propagative, meaning the virus multiplies within the vector. Because the virus is transmitted transovarially (from mother to offspring), the insect population remains an effective reservoir of the virus even in the absence of a host crop.

Management focuses on integrated pest management (IPM) strategies. This includes planting resistant cultivars, managing the populations of P. maidis through targeted insecticide applications, and practicing good field hygiene by controlling weed reservoirs. As with most viral diseases, preventative measures against the vector are the most effective way to minimize crop damage.