Diversity of the viruses of maize lethal necrosis disease complex

The objective of this work is to assess the current extent and diversity of viruses associated with maize lethal necrosis (MLN) disease in east and central Africa.MLN is a disease caused by synergistic double infections of maize chlorotic mottle virus (MCMV) with a potyvirus, most commonly sugarcane mosaic virus (SCMV). MLN was first noted in the Americas in the 1970s but was subsequently found in Kenya in 2011 and has since spread to other countries of east and central Africa, where it is causing major losses to maize (Zea mays) production