Transmission of viruses causing maize lethal necrosis disease through seed in commercial hybrids and effect on growth in the subsequent crop

Abstract

Maize lethal necrosis (MLN) disease emerged as a threat to maize, which is an important food security crop in the majority of Sub-Saharan Africa countries. The study was carried out to determine the transmission of Maize chlorotic mottle virus and Sugarcane mosaic virus through seeds harvested from maize varieties; H614 and WE1101 with varying MLN disease severity and evaluate the effect on germination, emergence, disease intensity, virus titre and yields. Field and greenhouse evaluations were conducted over two cropping cycles during the 2016 short rain and 2017 long rain seasons. Maize chlorotic mottle virus was detected in plants from seeds of symptomatic mother plants. Seeds from MLN-infected plants resulted in a significant effect on the plant growth, disease intensity, virus titre and yields. The study underscores the importance of seed testing for viruses causing MLN disease as an integral part of maize seed certification for effective management of the disease.