Maize Chlorotic Dwarf Virus
Symptoms:
- Leaves may be reddish and yellow, but this will depend on environment, hybrid, or time of infection
- Veinbanding occurs when young leaves become chlorotic within the whorl
- Plants may be stunted and internodes may be shortened or stunted
- Leaves may also be torn, twisted or have swollen veins with a dull, rough surface
- Plants may also be infected with maize dwarf mosaic virus
Pathogen Involved:
- Maize chlorotic dwarf (a virus)
- Transmitted by adult or nymph leafhoppers semi-persistently.
- Also transmitted mechanically by physical rubbing between plants
- Overwinters in Johnson grass, and infects sorghum, wheat, sudan grass
Time of Occurrence:
- After infected leafhoppers feed on corn plants
Conditions Favoring Disease:
- Conditions that favor leafhopper development and feeding
- Nearby Johnson grass infected with this virus
Disease Management:
- Use tolerant or resistant commercial corn hybrids.
- Control of Johnson grass with herbicides may be beneficial