The hopper-borne diseases of maize and control by vector resistance
1989
Bajet, N.B. | Renfro, B.L. (CIMMYT, Mexico, DF (Mexico). Maize Program)
Of the more than 30 distinct viruses and 2 mycoplasmalike organisms that attack maize, a few-maize dwarf mosaic, maize chlorotic dwarf, maize rayado fino, maize streak, and the stunting mycoplasmalike organisms-have the potential to cause economic yield losses. These pathogens are disseminated efficiently by insect vectors that locate their hosts and reach their preferred feeding sites without destroying the host cells. Genetic manipulation of the host can interfere with the normal insect vector-host plant relationships. Control of the economically important hopper-borne diseases of maize by vector resistance would appear to be an effective strategy because 1) the hopper vectors are, in most cases, dependent on and prefer maize as a food source, 2) maize is the major economic crop severely affected by the diseases, 3) there is a highly specific relationship between these pathogens and the hopper vectors, and 4) these pathogens are limited to specific tissues of maize.
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