Characterization of maize streak virus: description of strains; symptoms

Twenty‐four isolates of maize streak virus (MSV) derived from maize, sugarcane and grasses were compared to a maize isolate of the virus (M(N)M) from Nigeria, using symptoms, gel diffusion and ELISA. Fourteen isolates were identified as maize strains, eight other isolates were serologically related to M(N)M but were distinct. In most cases the maize strain could be identified by the symptoms in Zea mays cv. Golden Bantam but symptom expression in grasses was not always sufficient to identify the economically important maize strain. In general, however, symptoms were similar in both grass and maize hosts. Identification by symptoms alone was further complicated by the possibility that some isolates were mixtures. There was no evidence that adaptation to grass hosts occurred, as all isolates could be transmitted to maize. It was not possible to transmit certain strains to the host species from which they were derived, even though they were transmissible to other hosts. This was assumed to be related to vector feeding behaviour. Insect toxin was responsible for certain stunting symptoms, leaf curling and vein enations often associated with MSV. Copyright © 1988, Wiley Blackwell. All rights reserved