Early Symptom Characterisation and Mitigation of Maize Lethal Necrosis Disease

Summary

This study characterised the symptom progression of maize lethal necrosis disease (MLND) following experimental inoculation and evaluated two potential mitigation strategies in controlled trials. Foliar boron application at 15 mg L⁻¹ substantially improved aboveground biomass and suppressed viral accumulation below detectable levels, whereas exogenous RNase A application showed no significant benefit. The findings offer a potentially low-cost, accessible intervention for smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa facing severe MLND-induced yield losses.

Regional applicability

MLND is primarily a disease of eastern and central Africa and is not currently reported in the United Kingdom. However, the work may inform biosecurity protocols and provides a model for viral disease mitigation in cereal crops that could be relevant to UK plant pathology practice, particularly if climate change extends the geographic range of tropical pathogens.

Key measures

Symptom onset and progression timeline; foliar boron concentration (mg L⁻¹); exogenous RNase A application; aboveground biomass yield; apical meristem death incidence (%); viral accumulation (molecular and serological analysis); plant growth traits

Outcomes reported

The study characterised the temporal progression of MLND symptoms in maize following stem inoculation and evaluated the efficacy of foliar boron and exogenous RNase A treatments on plant growth and viral accumulation. Boron application at 15 mg L⁻¹ significantly increased aboveground biomass and suppressed viral accumulation to undetectable levels, whilst RNase A showed no significant effect.

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