Virus Diseases of Maize: Major Threats, Control, and Management of Spread

Maize (Zea mays L.) is critical to global food security, providing food, feed, and income for billions of people worldwide. However, viral diseases remain a significant and evolving threat to maize production across tropical, subtropical, and temperate regions. Important viruses include Maize streak virus (MSV), Maize chlorotic mottle virus (MCMV), Sugarcane mosaic virus (SCMV), Johnsongrass mosaic virus (JGMV), Maize stripe tenuivirus (MStV), Maize dwarf mosaic virus (MDMV), Maize mosaic rhabdovirus (MMV), and Maize eyespot virus (MESV), among others. Their diverse vectors, host ranges, geographic distributions, and epidemiological patterns create complex disease challenges with potentially serious consequences for productivity and food security.The emergence and rapid spread of Maize Lethal Necrosis (MLN), caused by synergistic infections involving MCMV and potyviruses, has demonstrated how rapidly viral disease complexes can threaten maize production and farmer livelihoods. Increasing globalization, climate change, intensified agricultural production, movement of seed and planting materials, changing vector populations, and evolving production systems may further influence viral emergence, adaptation, and geographic expansion.Addressing these challenges requires a better understanding of the complex interactions among viruses, maize hosts, insect vectors, environmental conditions, and agricultural systems. Early detection, accurate diagnosis, effective surveillance, and improved understanding of pathogen evolution are essential for strengthening preparedness and preventing emerging viral threats from becoming widespread epidemics.At the same time, rapid advances in genomics, high-throughput sequencing, molecular diagnostics, digital agriculture, artificial intelligence, epidemiological modelling, remote sensing, and resistance breeding are creating unprecedented opportunities to transform maize viral disease management. These technologies can accelerate pathogen discovery, improve surveillance and early-warning systems, identify genetic mechanisms of host resistance, predict disease risk, and support the development of durable and locally adapted management strategies.We invite original research and comprehensive reviews addressing biological, molecular, epidemiological, ecological, and applied aspects of maize viral diseases. Topics of interest include virus–host–vector interactions, pathogen evolution and emergence, virus diversity and population dynamics, diagnostics and surveillance, epidemiological modelling, genomic and molecular approaches, host resistance mechanisms, resistance breeding, vector management, and integrated disease management.Contributions that connect fundamental discoveries with practical solutions are particularly encouraged. We welcome research that advances early detection, predictive surveillance, durable resistance, sustainable disease management, and climate-resilient maize production, ultimately strengthening farmer livelihoods and safeguarding global food and nutritional security.Relevant topics include, but are not limited to:Virus Biology, Diversity, and Evolution• Discovery and characterization of emerging maize viruses• Virus evolution, adaptation, and population dynamics• Genomics, transcriptomics, and metabolomics of maize viruses• Virus-virus interactions and synergistic disease complexesMaize Lethal Necrosis and Emerging Viral Epidemics• Epidemiology and ecology of MLN• Global spread and risk assessment of MCMV and associated viruses• Lessons learned from MLN management programs• Emerging virus outbreaks and transboundary disease risks• Effects of MLN infection on seed and grain qualityVirus–Host–Vector Interactions• Molecular mechanisms of pathogenicity and host defense• Vector biology and transmission ecology• Environmental drivers of virus spread• Alternative hosts and virus reservoirsDiagnostics and Digital Surveillance• Advanced molecular diagnostic technologies• Point-of-care and field-deployable detection systems• AI-assisted disease diagnosis• Remote sensing and digital surveillance platforms• Genomic surveillance and early-warning systemsSeed Health and Safe Germplasm Movement• Seed transmission and seedborne risks of maize viruses• Seed testing methodologies and validation• Seed disinfection and decontamination technologies• Phytosanitary systems and international germplasm exchange• Risk-based approaches to safe seed movementResistance Breeding and Genetic Solutions• Sources of resistance to maize viral diseases• Quantitative and qualitative resistance mechanisms• Genomic selection and marker-assisted breeding• Gene-editing technologies for virus resistance• Durable resistance strategiesClimate Change and Future Risks• Climate-driven changes in virus epidemiology• Predictive modeling and risk mapping• Climate-smart disease management strategies• Resilience of maize production systemsIntegrated Disease Management and Policy• Integrated pest and disease management approaches• Public-private partnerships in virus management• Biosecurity and regulatory frameworks• Regional and international coordination for virus surveillanceIn accordance with the scope of the journal, manuscripts must advance scientific understanding of maize viral diseases and provide novel biological, epidemiological, molecular, ecological, or management insights. Topic editors: SURESH L M, Govind Rao, Manje S Gowda, Dan Makumbi, Douglas Watuku Miano, Anani Bruce Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/84058/virus-diseases-of-maize-major-threats-control-and-management-of-spread