Maize Dwarf Mosaic (virus): Maize Dwarf Mosaic virus is the most common virus disease of sweet corn in Texas. Infected plants have mottled upper leaves that are lighter in color than healthy leaves. The mottled or mosaic pattern consists of alternate yellow and green islands in the leaf tissue. Aphids transmit virus particles from surrounding Johnsongrass. Johnsongrass rhizomes serve as the overwintering host for this virus. Early infected plants may be sterile. Late infection will reduce yields and quality of corn produced. Insect control is not successful due to the feeding pattern of the aphid. Elimination of Johnsongrass and isolation of sweet corn fields from Johnsongrass stands will help reduce the occurrence of this disease. There are a number of hybrids of sweet corn that are resistant.
