Phytopathology (1996) 86, p. S73 (Hammond et al.)

R.W. Hammond, R. Kogel and P. Ramirez (1996)
Geographic distribution and evolution of maize rayado fino virus in Latin America
Phytopathology 86 (11 suppl.), S73-S73
Abstract: The leafhopper-borne maize rayado fino virus (MRFV) is the only known indigenous virus of maize in Meso America and is widespread and increasingly important in tropical areas. MRFV is the type member of the maraflvirus group, and possesses isometric particles containing a single-stranded RNA genome of approximately 6 kb. MRFV and its leafhopper vector have exploited the capacity of maize to adapt to a broad range of environments. Samples of maize exhibiting symptoms of MRFV were collected in eight Latin American countries during August-December 1992. MRFV was found in all countries and ecological zones sampled. We examined the molecular epidemiology and evolution of the virus by sequence analysis of a 633-base bair fragment containing the coat protein gene and 3'-UTR of the viral RNA that was amplified by PCR from these samples, as well as a sample previously collected in Texas. Alignment and phylogenetic analysis revealed that there are two groups of isolates which correspond to the northern and southern geographic areas, with a sequence divergence of 3-10%.

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
surveys/sampling/distribution
general biology - morphology - evolution

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Marafivirus maydis	Maize/corn (Zea mays)