Maize streak virus (MSV) diversity in Uganda and the assessment of gene silencing as a tool for development of resistance to MSV

Maize streak virus (MSV: Family Geminiviridae, Genus Mastrevirus) is the causal agent of maize streak disease (MSD) that contributes significantly to low maize yields in Africa, thereby threatening food security of sub-Saharan Africa’s poorest people. In Uganda, MSD has been identified as one of the most important constraints to maize production. In order to have a better understanding of the disease in that country, this thesis set out to establish MSD levels in farmers’ fields; develop a new sampling and virus isolation method; assess the diversity of MSVs throughout Uganda; and, through the cloning of sampled virus genomes, to determine the genetic characteristics of different isolates. In addition, this study also included an assessment of RNA silencing as a resistance strategy against MSV.

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

Department of Molecular and Cell Biology

Year dc:date.issued

2008

Author dc:creator

• Owor, Betty Elizabeth

Advisors dc:contributor.advisor

• Thomson, Jennifer Ann
• Shepherd, Dionne

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/11427/4315

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/4315