High Plains wheat mosaic virus: An enigmatic disease of wheat and corn causing the high plains disease

Authors: Tatineni, Satyanarayana - Ts; HEIN, GARY - University Of Nebraska

Submitted to: Molecular Plant Pathology
Publication Type: Review Article
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/13/2021
Publication Date: 9/1/2021
Citation: Tatineni, S., Hein, G.L. 2021. High Plains wheat mosaic virus: An enigmatic disease of wheat and corn causing the high plains disease. Molecular Plant Pathology. 22:1167-1179. https://doi.org/10.1111/mpp.13113.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/mpp.13113

Interpretive Summary: The High Plains disease was first reported from the Great Plains states of the USA in 1993 in corn and wheat. The causal agent of this pathogen was initially named as High Plains virus and transmitted by the wheat curl mite. After genome characterization of the causal agent of High Plains disease, this virus was renamed as High Plains wheat mosaic virus. This virus, along with wheat streak mosaic virus and Triticum mosaic virus, forms as wheat streak mosaic disease complex. Since all these three viruses are transmitted by wheat curl mites, coinfection of wheat by two or three viruses is common in growers' fields with exacerbated yield losses. In this review, we presented the history of High Plains disease, characterization of the causal agent, gene expression, genetic variability, gene functions, transmission of the virus through seed and wheat curl mites, host range, virus diagnosis, disease cycle, genetic resistance, cultural practices, and future directions. The disease cycle and cultural practices presented for High Plains disease are also applicable to other viruses in the wheat streak mosaic disease complex.

Technical Abstract: In 1993, severe mosaic and necrosis symptoms were observed on corn (maize) and wheat from several Great Plains states of the USA. Based on the geographical location of infections, the disease was named High Plains disease and the causal agent was tentatively named High Plains virus. Subsequently, researchers renamed this virus as maize red stripe virus and wheat mosaic virus to represent the host and symptom phenotype of the virus. After sequencing the genome of the pathogen, the causal agent of High Plains disease was officially named as High Plains wheat mosaic virus. Hence, High Plains virus, maize red stripe virus, wheat mosaic virus, and High Plains wheat mosaic virus (HPWMoV) are synonyms for the causal agent of High Plains disease.