Effects of Drought Stress and Infection by Maize Dwarf Mosaic Virus on Sweet Corn. A. J. Olson, Former Graduate Research Assistant, Department of Plant Pathology, University of Illinois, Urbana 61801. J. K. Pataky, Cleora J. D’Arcy, and R. E. Ford. Associate Professor, Associate Professor, and Professor and Head, Department of Plant Pathology, University of Illinois, Urbana 61801. Plant Dis. 74:147-151. Accepted for publication 20 September 1989. Copyright 1990 The American Phytopathological Society. DOI: 10.1094/PD-74-0147.

Infection of sweet corn (Zea mays L.) by maize dwarf mosaic virus (MDMV) and drought stress imposed during vegetative (early-stress) or reproductive (late-stress) growth stages were additive in their effects on ear and plant characteristics. Weight of ears was reduced 16% by MDMV in 1984 and 22% in 1985. Butt blanking of ears was increased by early stress in 1984 and by MDMV in both years. Leaf area was reduced 15 and 37% by early stress in 1984 and 1985, respectively; 13% by late stress in 1984; and 8 and 11% by MDMV in 1984 and 1985, respectively. Early stress reduced plant height by 7% in 1984 and by 22% in 1985. Reductions in plant height due to MDMV were 4% in 1984 and 23% in 1985. Sugar content of kernels was not affected by drought stress or MDMV. Titer of MDMV was not affected by drought stress.

Keyword(s): sugars