Sugarcane Mosaic Virus in Kenya. Raymond Louie, Research Plant Pathologist, USAID/USDA-SEA, Plant Pathology and Nematology Division, Kenya Agriculture Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya. Plant Dis. 64:944-947. This article is in the public domain and not copyrightable. It may be freely reprinted with customary crediting of the source. The American Phytopathological Society, 1980. DOI: 10.1094/PD-64-944.

Surveys for sugarcane mosaic virus (SCMV) in maize (Zea mays L. subsp. mays) were made in 34 of 41 districts in Kenya. SCMV was found in 20 districts and only in the western plateaus, Central Highlands, and Rift Valley. Provinces with high incidence of SCMV included Nyanza (15.2%), Rift Valley (15.8%), and Western (19.6%). SCMV was not found in Coast or Nairobi provinces. The incidence of SCMV was higher in late-planted maize planted for the April-May rains or the October-November rains than in early plantings. This is the first report of natural infection with SCMV in Cynodon dactylon, C. nlemfüensis, Digitaria nuda, D. abyssinica, Eragrostis exasperata, Paspalum notatum, P. scrobiculatum, Rhynchelytrym repens, and an unknown Tripsacum fasciculatum cross. The distribution of SCMV in maize appeared to be related to the distribution of sources of inoculum, but the periodicity of disease development appeared to be related to vector populations. Maize streak and maize mosaic viruses were most often found in Central (4.5%) and Coast (13.8%) provinces.

Keyword(s): corn, maize dwarf mosaic virus, weed hosts.