European Journal of Plant Pathology (2017) 149, 1011-1017

Mengistu Fentahun, Tileye Feyissa, Adane Abraham and Hae Ryun Kwak (2017)
Detection and characterization of maize chlorotic mottle virus and Sugarcane mosaic virus associated with maize lethal necrosis disease in Ethiopia: an emerging threat to maize production in the region
European Journal of Plant Pathology 149 (4), 1011-1017
Abstract: Maize Lethal Necrosis Disease (MLND) develops from synergistic co-infection by Sugarcane mosaic virus and Maize chlorotic mottle virus. The disease causes symptoms ranging from leaf tissue mottling and malformed ears to premature plant death. Information on the diversity and transmission of those viruses are limited in Ethiopia. No attempts were made to characterize and identify SCMV and MCMV strains of Oromia and Benishangul-Gumuz regions. The aim of this research was to study MLND responsible viruses via serological and molecular techniques. A total of 174 symptomatic maize leaf samples were collected. Using Double Antibody Sandwich-ELISA (DAS-ELISA), 43 samples showed strong reaction for MCMV antibody and only 14 samples were clearly positive for SCMV. Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) technique revealed the presence of MCMV and SCMV in most samples. Analysis of the genetic diversity of MCMV and SCMV by sequencing the coat protein of all isolates shows strong homology with previous East African isolates deposited in the GenBank. The phylogenetic analysis indicated that the virus isolates are highly similar with each other. In conclusion, this study unequivocally confirmed the association of MCMV and SCMV with MLND in the investigated areas and for the first time provided information on the genetic variability by sequence analysis of several Ethiopian samples. Since the risk posed by MLND in the investigated area is high, there is an urgent need for developing integrated management options for controlling the disease.
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Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
surveys/sampling/distribution

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Sugarcane mosaic virus	Maize/corn (Zea mays)	Ethiopia
	Machlomovirus zeae	Maize/corn (Zea mays)	Ethiopia