Aug. 20, 2008 Scientists have discovered why one of the world's
most important agricultural diseases emerged, according to
research published in the September issue of the Journal of
General Virology. Maize streak virus (MSV) causes the main virus
disease of Africa's most important food crop. By comparing the
genome of the virus to those of its less harmful relatives,
scientists have discovered how and why MSV became a serious pest
and spread so rapidly across Africa. "Given the fragility of
African agriculture and perpetual famine risks with millions of
lives at stake, MSV is actually one of the most important plant
pathogens worldwide," said Dr Darren Martin from the University
of Cape Town in South Africa. "We wanted to learn more about how
the virus emerged and spread so we can develop new ways to fight
the diseases it causes." There are many different strains of MSV
but only one of these causes a severe disease in maize. The
others cause relatively mild infections in other grassy food
crops such as wheat