Maize streak virus (MSV) diversity in Uganda and the assessment of gene silencing as a tool for development of resistance to MSV

Abstract

Maize streak virus (MSV: Family Geminiviridae, Genus Mastrevirus) is the causal agent of maize streak disease (MSD) that contributes significantly to low maize yields in Africa, thereby threatening food security of sub-Saharan Africa’s poorest people. In Uganda, MSD has been identified as one of the most important constraints to maize production. In order to have a better understanding of the disease in that country, this thesis set out to establish MSD levels in farmers’ fields; develop a new sampling and virus isolation method; assess the diversity of MSVs throughout Uganda; and, through the cloning of sampled virus genomes, to determine the genetic characteristics of different isolates. In addition, this study also included an assessment of RNA silencing as a resistance strategy against MSV.