Identification and Characterization of MLND Causing MCMV and SCMV

Detection, identification and characterization of SCMV and MCMV causing MLND has been achieved from 174 symptomatic maize leaf samples. DAS-ELISA result showed, 43 samples having strong reaction for MCMV antibody and only 14 samples were clearly positive for SCMV. RT-PCR using specific viral primers revealed the presence of MCMC and SCMV in most samples. Further confirmation of serological and RT-PCR based identification and analysis of the genetic diversity of representative viral strains was done by direct sequencing of the RT-PCR products. The phylogenetic tree indicated that the virus isolates are highly similar with each other.The artificial inoculation results showed that virus strains from the study areas were able to cause mosaic and leaf streak or necrosis symptom on sweet corn planted in greenhouse. In conclusion, this study unequivocally confirmed the association of MCMV and SCMV with MLND in the study areas.