ARS | Publication request: Using Maize chlorotic dwarf virus to explore future frontiers in plant virology

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: August 1, 2010
Publication Date: N/A

Technical Abstract: Maize chlorotic dwarf virus (MCDV) causes a chlorosis and stunting disease of corn throughout the Midwest United States. It is a waikavirus transmitted by the leafhopper Graminella nigrifrons. Although waikaviruses are economically important viruses in corn and rice, little is known about the virus gene functions or molecular biology for this group. Relationships with leafhopper vectors have been studied at length for MCDV and suggest the presence of a helper component for transmission, but no such helper has been isolated to date. Current research and approaches to address functions of uncharacterized portions of the MCDV genome and elucidate factors required for leafhopper transmission will be discussed.