Skip to main content
ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #105773
Title: ASSOCIATION OF MAIZE RAYADO FINO VIRUS WITH "RED STUNT" DISEASE IN BRAZIL

Author
item Hammond, Rosemarie
item BEDENDO, IVAN - PIRACICABA SP BRAZIL

Submitted to: Plant Disease
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/31/2000
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Corn production in several areas of Brazil was recently found to be seriously affected by the prevalence of a disease known as "red stunt". The association of a phytoplasma with the disease has previously been reported. In this report, we show that maize rayado fino virus (MRFV) is present in plants showing symptoms of "red stunt" and also provide evidence that Brazilian corn streak virus be regarded as a distinct isolate of MRFV. The implications of our findings will impact strategies used to control the disease and will be of interest to scientists, producers, extension service, and industry officials.

Technical Abstract: Maize rayado fino virus (MRFV) was identified by nucleic acid hybridization in samples of maize tissues exhibiting symptoms of "red stunt" disease, collected from two Brazilian States - Sao Paulo and Minas Gerais. The coat protein gene and 3' non-translated region of MRFV were amplified from infected tissues by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) using MRFV-specific primers, and were characterized by nucleotide sequence and phylogenetic analysis of the cloned PCR products. Phylogenetic analysis of the relationships between the Brazilian isolates and isolates obtained from Latin American and the United States reveals a close relationship to isolates from Peru and Bolivia. The results support the proposal that the Brazilian corn streak virus be regarded as an isolate of MRFV and provide evidence for the presence of MRFV in the current outbreak of "red stunt" disease in Brazil.