Maize White Line Mosaic Virus in Ohio. Raymond Louie, Research Plant Pathologist, ARS/USDA, Department of Plant Pathology, Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center, Wooster 44691 and Ohio State University, Columbus 43210. D. T. Gordon, Professor, J. K. Knoke, Research Entomologist, ARS/USDA, Department of Entomology, R. E. Gingery, Research Chemist, ARS/USDA; O. E. Bradfute, Professor; and P. E. Lipps, Assistant Professor, Department of Plant Pathology, Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center, Wooster 44691 and Ohio State University, Columbus 43210. Plant Dis. 66:167-170. Accepted for publication 6 October 1981. 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, 1982. DOI: 10.1094/PD-66-167.

Maize white line mosaic virus (MWLMV) was detected in corn (Zea mays) and soil samples from Lake, Lorain, and Wayne counties in Ohio in 1979–1980. A spherical particle with a diameter of about 34–36 nm, buoyant density of 1.333 g/ml in cesium chloride, and a protein subunit molecular mass of 35,300 ± 1,600 daltons was associated with plants with disease symptoms. Serial transmission of MWLMV was successful with soil fractions and root inocula placed on greenhouse soil below seeds or seedlings. Transmission of MWLMV was reduced by benomyl applied as a drench. MWLMV was detected in pollen, anthers, silks, and seeds of infected plants, but seed transmission was not demonstrated in 10,288 seeds of diseased sweet and dent corn. MWLMV was detected in 15 of 22 symptomless plants. MWLMV was not transmitted by Graminella nigrifrons, Macrosteles fascifrons, Empoasca fabae, Rhopalosiphum maidis, or Schizaphis graminum. Yield loss and height reduction in MWLMV-infected plants averaged 44 and 21%, respectively. Digitaria sanguinalis, Panicum dichotomiflorum, and Setaria faberi were identified as MWLMV hosts.

Keyword(s): corn virus disease, soilborne virus, soil transmission.