A Regional Task Force to Fight the Maize Lethal Necrosis Disease (MLND) in Eastern Africa

Ranked as the second largest crop in the world, maize is unquestionably the staple food in Eastern and Central Africa (ECA). Since its first report in Kenya, in 2011, the MLND has caused severe losses (70-100%) with an estimated financial loss of approximately $23.3 million. The disease has been recently reported in Rwanda, DRC, Ethiopia, Uganda and Tanzania. MLND is caused by simultaneous infection of Maize chlorotic mottle virus (MCMV) (Tombusviridae) and any of the Potyviruses infecting maize, such as Sugarcane mosaic virus (SCMV). The BecA-ILRI Hub, together with partners from International (FERA), and African Agricultural Institutes (HORTI, KEPHIS, KU and KALRO) has joined forces to strategize MLND management plans. The BecA-ILRI Hub plays a key role in a regional project, funded by ASARECA, led by UoN, that involves seven ECA countries and three regional institutions. In this broad partnership, a multidisciplinary approach involving NGS technology, viral synergism, diagnostics and RNA interference, is used to understand the disease etiology. To date, MCMV, SCMV whole genomes have been detected in Kenya. Studies are ongoing for the characterization of the viruses in Tanzania to understand the phylogenetic relationships between the African isolates. Using in silico tools (SVMs), we have established important interactions between key viral proteins and are currently working to confirm the same in vivo. Virus isolates, tolerant/resistant and susceptible maize lines will be sequenced to understand MCMV and SCMV interactions. Superior MLN resistant hybrids will be developed and distributed to farmers to manage the MLND in ECA.