Corn (Zea mays)-High Plains Disease

Latest revision: 
March 2024

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Cause The virus that causes this disease is also referred to as wheat mosaic virus, maize red stripe virus, high plains tenui virus or high plains virus. In the Western States, it first was confirmed in Idaho in 1993, in Utah in 1994, and in Washington in 1998. Both dent and sweet corn varieties are affected. This virus is transmitted by the wheat curl mite (Aceria tosichella), the same vector that transmits wheat streak mosaic virus and wheat spot mosaic virus. Wheat, barley, yellow and green foxtail, rye, and witch grass may be sources of the virus.

Symptoms Infected plants are stunted and yellowish. Mosaic symptoms usually are evident in the whorl and on older leaves. One or more yellowish or reddish-purple bands about 0.25 to 0.5 inch wide running parallel to the veins frequently are observed on midsize to fully developed leaves. Later in season, chlorotic bands turn tan as tissue dies. Diseased plants also may have stunted or weakened root systems.

Cultural control

  • Avoid late seeding.
  • Control grassy weeds and volunteer wheat on which the vectors or virus may persist.

References Jensen, S.G., and Lane, L.C. 1994. A new virus disease of corn and wheat in the high plains. Phytopathology 84:1158.

Marçon, A., Kaeppler, S.M., and Jensen, S.G. 1997. Genetic variability among maize inbred lines for resistance to the High plains virus-wheat streak mosaic virus complex. Plant Disease 81:195-198.

Skare, J.M. et al. 2006. A new eriophyid mite-borne membrane-enveloped virus-like complex isolated from plants. Virology 347:343-353.