Abstract
Maize lethal necrosis (MLN), a complex viral disease, emerged as a serious threat to maize production and the livelihoods of smallholders in eastern Africa since 2011, primarily due to the introduction of maize chlorotic mottle virus (MCMV). The International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), in close partnership with national and international partners, implemented a multi-disciplinary and multi-institutional strategy to curb the spread of MLN in sub-Saharan Africa, and mitigate the impact of the disease. The strategy revolved around a) intensive germplasm screening and fast-tracked development and deployment of MLN-tolerant/resistant maize hybrids in Africa-adapted genetic backgrounds; b) optimizing the diagnostic protocols for MLN-causing viruses, especially MCMV, and capacity building of relevant public and private sector institutions on MLN diagnostics and management; c) MLN monitoring and surveillance across sub-Saharan Africa in collaboration with national plant protection organizations (NPPOs); d) partnership with the private seed sector for production and exchange of MLN pathogen-free commercial maize seed; and e) awareness creation among relevant stakeholders about MLN management, including engagement with policy makers. The review concludes by highlighting the need to keep continuous vigil against MLN-causing viruses, and preventing any further spread of the disease to the major maize-growing countries that have not yet reported MLN in sub-Saharan Africa.
Highlights
Maize (Zea mays L.) is the most important cereal crop in subSaharan Africa (SSA), covering over 35 million hectares, largely in smallholder farming systems that produce over 70 million metric tons of grain (FAO, 2018)
maize lethal necrosis (MLN) management has been effectively addressed through several simultaneously-implemented strategies, including development and deployment of elite MLN tolerant/resistant varieties adapted to Africa; coordinated and synergistic multi-disciplinary efforts of various national and international institutions engaged in maize R&D in Africa; intensive awareness creation among stakeholders, and capacity building of relevant public and private sector institutions on MLN diagnostics and management; devising and implementing a checklist and standard operating procedures for MLN-free commercial seed production and exchange by the commercial seed sector; and strong engagement of the national plant protection organizations (NPPOs) on MLN surveillance across SSA
Among the various interventions implemented by International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) and partners, capacity building of relevant public and private sector institutions on MLN diagnostics and management, intensive awareness creation among the stakeholders, and systematic monitoring and surveillance have been impactful
Summary
Maize (Zea mays L.) is the most important cereal crop in subSaharan Africa (SSA), covering over 35 million hectares, largely in smallholder farming systems that produce over 70 million metric tons of grain (FAO, 2018). The crop is critical for food security, income and livelihoods of several million smallholders across SSA, and especially in eastern and southern Africa, where nearly 85% of the maize produced is used as food (Shiferaw et al, 2011). A major example is the emergence of maize lethal necrosis (MLN) in East Africa, which was first reported in the southern Rift Valley of Kenya in 2011, and soon after in other eastern African countries during 2012–2014 (Wangai et al, 2012; Adams et al, 2014; Lukanda et al, 2014; Mahuku et al, 2015a, b; Redinbaugh and Stewart, 2018). The epidemiology of MLN, including insect vectors of MCMV and potyviruses, seed as a source of infection, and virus transmission through soil, was discussed in detail by Redinbaugh and Stewart (2018)
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