Emerging plant virus disease: the case of Maize Yellow mosaic virus: Review

Abstract

Groups of plant viruses and individual viruses have emerged as major threats on crop production worldwide. Emergent plant viruses are usually mediated via an insect vector in increasing global trade, the emergence of a virus in a new geographical area may be initiated by the introduction of infected plant materials (propagative materials or seeds). Once introduced, the successful emergent virus expands into a new place via activity of an existing insect vector or, less frequently, through spread by physical contact. The novel virus, named Maize yellow mosaic virus (MaYMV) consists potentially in a new constraint to maize production worldwide. MaYMV epidemics are multi-component systems resulting from interactions between the viruses, vectors and host plants. MaYMV was transmitted by corn leaf aphid, Rhopalosiphum maidis, but not mechanically. In addition to maize, MaYMV was harbored by alternative hosts such as sugarcane, itch grass sugarcane, Panicum miliaceum, and Sorghum bicolor. More studies are vital to evaluate MaYMV in weeds and wild hosts, whether transmitted through seed and the relative abilities of different aphid species to acquire and transmit MaYMV within and between different grass plants to understand the virus ecology and infection pathway to maize, to aid the development of an integrated disease management strategy. Key words: Alternative host, Distribution, Emerging virus, Symptoms, Transmission DOI: 10.7176/JEES/16-1-01 Publication date: February 28th 2026