Identification and Incidence of Maize Dwarf Mosaic Virus in Maize Fields in Tekirdağ Province of Trakya

Maize (Zea mays L.) is the third most significant field crop in Tekirdağ province of Trakya, Türkiye, following wheat and sunflower. In addition to seed production, maize has recently been produced as a silage crop for animal husbandry in this region. In June and July 2022, survey studies were performed on eleven districts of Tekirdağ, and a total of 117 symptomatic maize plants were collected to investigate the incidence of maize dwarf mosaic virus (MDMV). These maize plants exhibiting streak mosaic, yellowing, chlorotic leaf spot, and leaf deformation symptoms were tested for MDMV using biological, serological, and molecular methods. Serological test results showed that ten out of 117 maize plants were found infected with MDMV. These symptomatic maize plants were inoculated mechanically on seedlings of sweet corn (Zea mays saccharata Sturt), and streak mosaic symptoms on the sweet corn after seven, 14-, and 21 days post-inoculation were observed. A total of virus-suspected 30 maize samples were tested by an RT-PCR assay. RT-PCR results revealed that seven maize plants had positive reactions to MDMV. This comprehensive study showed an infection rate of 14.53 % in the maize fields in Tekirdağ province of the Trakya.