Review

Significance and transmission of maize streak virus disease in Africa and options for management: A review

O. E. V. Magenya¹*, J. Mueke²  and C. Omwega³

¹Kenya Agricultural research institute, Kisii Regional Research Centre, P O Box 523, Kisii, Kenya.

²Department of Zoology, Kenyatta University, P. O. Box 43844-00100, Nairobi Kenya.

³International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology, P. O. Box 30772-00100, Nairobi Kenya.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: omagenya@hotmail.com.

Accepted 12 December, 2008

The distribution of leafhopper vector populations and the viral diseases they vector are inherently influenced by agro-ecological factors. This review discusses the distribution and classification of MSV strains, their vectors and how agro-ecological factors mediate the prevalence of MSV disease. Important strains of MSV have been characterised on the African continent using molecular techniques, however, evidence on the characterisation of geographically separate populations of Cicadulina spp. and the viral strains they vector is inadequate. The potential of applying knowledge on the influence of soil nutrients, altitude and temperature on the biology of maize streak virus (MSV) / vector populations is discussed. This review has considered the potential of using soil nutrients in determining nutritive status of maize host plants and its effects on population dynamics of Cicadulina mbila Naudé (Homoptera: Cicadelidae), an important vector of MSV disease and the expression of MSV disease. Future research options that can provide information on the influence of soil fertilization on the behaviour of characterised vector populations, MSV disease transmission, virulence and disease expression are proposed.

Key words: Leafhoppers, Cicadulina spp., maize streak virus, molecular characterisation, soils, agro-environmental factors.