Author : Truong Hoai Xuan

Summary : The mosaic type of disease of corn in the Philippines was found to be caused by two distinct plant viruses. One was a flexible rod-like virus transmitted by five species of aphids in a non-persistent manner, the other was a bullet or bacilliform shaped virus transmitted by a planthopper. The physical properties of the aphid-borne virus, its host ranges, symptomatology, and morphology resembles the Maize Dwarf Mosaic virus reported in the United States. Serological tests revealed that the one present in the Philippines is the strain A of MDMV. On the other hand, the planthopper-borne virus is similar, if not identical to the Maize Mosaic (MMV) based on morphology, vector-type and symptomatology.