Maize Chlorotic Mottle and Maize Dwarf Mosaic Viruses: Effect of Single and Double Inoculations on Symptomatology and Yield. J. K. Uyemoto, Department of Plant Pathology, Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station, Manhattan 66506. L. E. Claflin, and D. L. Wilson, Department of Plant Pathology, and R. J. Raney, Department of Agronomy, Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station, Manhattan 66506. Plant Dis. 65:39-41. Copyright 1981 American Phytopathological Society. DOI: 10.1094/PD-65-39.

Three corn hybrids (Zea mays L. A619 × A632, B73 × FR16, and Mo17 × B73) were planted in replicated blocks and spray-inoculated at the 3-, 7-, and 14-leaf stages. Inocula consisted of maize chlorotic mottle virus (MCMV), maize dwarf mosaic virus strain A (MDMV-A), and a combination of the two. Single virus infections caused systemic mottle or mosaic leaf patterns and reduced grain yields. Symptoms on all hybrids inoculated with the virus combination, at 3-and/or 7-leaf stages, consisted of a systemic chlorotic mottle, tissue necrosis beginning at leaf margins and progressing to the midvein, stunting, and premature death of plants. Chlorosis and necrosis of terminal leaves developed in plants at the 14-leaf stage inoculated with MCMV and MCMV plus MDMV-A. In general, early virus infections significantly reduced corn yields; losses were heaviest on plants receiving the virus combination.