Publication Type
Journal Article
Publication Date (Issue Year)
2022
Journal Name
All Life
Abstract
Maize Lethal Necrosis (MLN) is a disease of maize reported in Kenya in 2012 that results in yield lossesof up to 100%. The epidemiology of MLN is complex as the disease is caused by the synergisticinteraction of 2 viruses (Maize chlorotic mottle virus(MCMV) and a potyvirus). In addition, multiplereservoirs and transmission pathways exist for the spread of MLN. The current study was conductedto understand farmers’ maize production practices, their understanding of MLN, and the status ofMLN in Kenya. Therefore, a survey of 406 randomly selected farmers was conducted in Bomet, Narok,Kirinyaga, Embu, and Nakuru. To confirm the presence of MLN, maize leaf samples were collectedfrom 18 fields and tested for MCMV and SCMV by molecular techniques. MLN Symptoms observedincluded chlorotic mottle on leaves, necrosis, and premature plant death. MCMV and SCMV weredetected in all the maize growing regions at varying levels of incidence, and severity. Sequenceanalysis of the partial coat protein genes of randomly selected positive samples of the two virusesshowed little variability within the studied isolates and those retrieved from the GenBank. The resultsindicated that MLN is still prevalent in Kenya with farmers’ planting susceptible varieties.
Keywords
farmers’ perceptionand, maize, lethal necrosis, Kenya
Rsif Scholar Name
Faith Njeri Njeru
Thematic Area
Food security and Agribusiness
Africa Host University (AHU)
Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA), Tanzania
Funding Statement
This manuscript is part of a Ph.D. project (Application ofNanobody as a diagnostic tool against Maize Lethal Necrosis)funded by the Partnership for Skills in Applied Sciences, Engi-neering and Technology (PASET), Regional Scholarship andInnovation Fund, (RSIF).
Recommended Citation
Njeru, F. N., Mwaura, S., Kusolwa, P. M., & Misinzo, G. (2022). Maize production systems, farmers’ perception and current status of maize lethal necrosis in selected counties in Kenya. All Life, 15 (1), 692-705. https://doi.org/10.1080/26895293.2022.2085815