Maize Rayado Fino and Maize Dwarf Mosaic Viruses in Ecuador. O. E. Bradfute, Ohio State University, Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center, Wooster 44691. J. H. Tsai, University of Florida Agricultural Research and Education Center, Fort Lauderdale 33314; and B. W. Falk, University of Florida, Everglades Research and Education Center, Belle Glade 33430. Plant Dis. 69:1078-1080. Accepted for publication 25 May 1985. Copyright 1985 The American Phytopathological Society. DOI: 10.1094/PD-69-1078.

Symptoms of rayado fino disease were found in about 3% of open-pollinated maize plants in central Ecuador at seven locations (elevation 2,000–2,500 m). Maize rayado fino virus (MRFV) was identified on the basis of leaf symptoms, virus particle morphology, and immunoelectron microscopy. Maize dwarf mosaic virus strain B (MDMV-B) was identified by the double-antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Dalbulus maidis, leafhopper vector of MRFV, and Rhopalosiphum maidis, aphid vector of MDMV-B, were collected on maize. This report extends the known distribution of these damaging maize viruses within the neotropics.