Curent Status of Maize Leathal Nicrosis Disease in Tanzania Presented to Regional Workshop to Develop a Strategy for Maize Lethal Necrosis Disease in Eastern and Central Africa at Jacaranda Hotel 20 th - 24th August By K. Kitenge & Maize team

Outline Introduction Disease identification survey Survey report Measures taken Immediate Long term Way forward

1. Introduction In the recent years reported of unknown disease affecting maize in some areas of  Lake zone (Mwanza, Musoma and Shinyanga)  Central zone (Singida)  Northern zone - (Manyara- Babati, Mbulu and Simanjiro) (Arusha- Karatu, longijave, Mlangarini and Arusha)  Therefore there was a need of conducting a disease identification survey

Introduction.. Areas Affected Mwanza Manyara Arusha Manyara *

2. Disease identification survey  Following reports of an unknown disease in Tanzania, CIMMYT was invited to become part of a task force to confirm reports of a new maize disease that has been spreading and causing major loses among farmers  The Task force comprised of Drs. George Mahuku (Pathologist),and Dan Makumbi (Maize Breeder) of CIMMYT, and Dr AnneWangai from Kenya Agricultural Research Institute.  The team was joined by Mr. Ignath Rwiza of the Lake Zone Agricultural Research Institute (LZARI) in Mwanza, and Dr. Richard Ndondi from Suba-Agro Trading Company (SATEC) in Arusha.

3. Survey report  Over a 4-day period, the team visited 8 farms in the Mwanza region and 4 farms in the Arusha region.  A total of 60 samples (30 from Arusha region and 30 from Mwanza region) were collected and these were analyzed for the presence of the potyvirus- sugarcan mosaic virus (SCMV)  and maize chlorotic mottle virus (MCMV) using the dot blot assay with antibodies specific to sugar cane mosaic virus (SCMV), maize chlorotic mottle virus (MCMV).

…Survey report  Some of the samples were analyzed using reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction Rt-PCR technique with potyvirus-specific primers.  Out the 30 samples from Mwanza region, so far 9 have been analyzed MCMV and 4 samples tested positive for  While 4 samples and SCMV viruses, both viruses tested positive for both MCMV and one sample was negative for

…Survey report  All samples from the Arusha region have been tested, and 2 samples were positive for MCMV, 8 samples for SCMV and 14 samples were positive for both MCMV and SCMV.  No virus was detected in samples collected from a very young crop labeled field 13 in Arumeru district. Maize lethal necrosis disease (MLND) or Corn lethal necrosis (CLN) is a result of infection of maize plants by SCMV and MCMV. The detection of both viruses, either alone or in combination in the samples collected confirms the presence of MLND in Tanzania

…Survey report Affected plants

Karatu April, 2013 Nshara – Hai, April 2013

Disease Symptoms Season 2012, there were a number of fields infested with this kind of disease During CIMMYT M & E it was found that the symptoms were the same as those found in Kenya The idea to bring CIMMYT pathologist was then initiated

Disease Symptoms in cont’d Mlangalini - Arusha

Measures taken Immediate actions  Sensitization activities Information sharing with stakeholders ( s, reports) Training extension, politicians and other decision makers at district, region and national levels though their respective meetings Encourage stakeholders to visit SARI to see the disease Interviews to researchers made by journalists and Press releases Present papers to policy makers within & outside the zone - Parliament Through conducted field visits to districts in the zone Production & distribution of extension materials (brochure, posters) Video documentation Still pictures collections

Participants from Rombo, March 12, 2013

Participants from Same DC, March 15, 2013

Participants from Siha, March 13, 2013

Participants from Arusha DC, April 23, 2013

Participants from Mbulu DC, April 30, 2013

Participants from Babati TC, May 3, 2013

Participants from Kiteto DC, May 6, 2013

…Actions Writing a proposal involving multidisciplinary activities to contain the disease  Breeders  Agronomists  Pathologists  Extensionists  Social economists  Police makers

Solutions (What farmers should do) Use treated improved seed Proper field management Fertilizer application Field sanitation Early planting Rouging if few plants are affected Distraction of the whole field Crop rotation Reporting to their leaders

Long term &The way forward 1..Screening of new material National and Regionally available for resistant to the disease 2.Development of new varieties using resistant parental materials 3.Release of resistant varieties

The End