VARIABILITY OF THE MAIZE STREAK VIRUS (MS V) IN THE SUDANO-SAHELIAN REGION

A study of the variability of the maize streak virus (MSV) was conduct ed in Burkina Faso, which is part of the Sudano-Sahelian region. From 1990 to 1992, 1240 samples were collected on 36 hosts naturally infect ed by the virus. These samples were analysed with ELISA, using five mo noclonal antibodies developed against the MSV and by transmission of t he virus to some natural hosts. Three serological variants of the viru s, designated as SK, VD114, and VD180 were characterized. The SK varia nt was further divided into two forms, namely SKF and SKf, which induc ed severe and mild symptoms, respectively. In maize (Zea mays), with m ultiple infection, the SK variant masked the other two MSV variants. T he apparent antigenic uniformity of the MSV isolates from maize observ ed by many authors has been linked with this masking effect.