From the New Pest Front: High Plains Virus Confirmed in Sweet Corn, Washington State

ProMED, International Society for Infectious Diseases http://www.isid.org June 1, 2001; forwarded by Dr. Rob Venette, Dept. of Entomology, University of Minnesota.

{short description of image}

In 1998, samples of sweet maize (Zea mays) showing symptoms of mosaic, yellow streaking and severe stunting were observed in 3 eastern counties of Washington State, USA. Older leaves showed extensive tip burn and severe scorch. Microscopic observation revealed the presence of eriophyid mites within leaf whorls. ELISA tests confirmed the presence of wheat High Plains disease (EPPO Alert List) in sweet maize (Z. mays_ cvs Golden Jubilee, Peaches Cream, Lyric). The disease was also found on a fourth location on maize. This is the first report of High Plains disease in Washington State.

Background: High Plains disease was detected in susceptible winter wheat and maize in several High Plains states (Texas, Kansas, Colorado, Idaho, Nebraska, and Utah) in the western and central USA during 1993-94. It has also been reported in winter sweet maize production fields in southern Florida, and there are confirmed reports of its presence on maize in Chile and Brazil. Infected wheat and maize plants contain ovoid, double membrane-bound, virus-like particles (DMP) of 150-180 nm in diameter and a 32 kDa protein is associated with several dsRNAs. The pathogen is transmitted by the wheat curl mite (Aceria tosichella). High Plains disease belongs to a new group of eriophyid mite-transmitted viruses that cause wheat spot mosaic, fig mosaic, thistle mosaic, rose rosette and redbud yellow ringspot.

Source: Bentley, E.M.; Eastwell, K.C. (2000) First report of High Plains disease in Washington corn (Zea mays). Abstract of a paper presented at the APS Pacific Division meeting in Riverside, California, 1999-06-15/16, USA. Phytopathology, 90(6), S 117.

Co-Editors: Bill Hutchison, Department of Entomology, University of Minnesota, hutch002@tc.umn.edu
Jeanne Ciborowski, IPM Program, Minnesota Department of Agriculture, jeanne.ciborowski@state.mn.us
Cindy Tong, Department of Horticulture, University of Minnesota, c-tong@tc.umn.edu
Production Editor: Suzanne Wold, Department of Entomology, University of Minnesota, woldx018@tc.umn.edu

Disclaimer
Reference to products in this publication is not intended to be an endorsement to the exclusion of others which may have similar uses. Any person using products listed in this publication assumes full responsibility for their use in accordance with current directions of the manufacturer

Last Revised June 15, 2001
The University, including the Minnesota Extension Service, is an equal opportunity educator and employer.©2001 Minnesota Extension Service, University of Minnesota. All rights reserved. Contact copyright@extension.umn.edu for information on reproduction or use of this material.