Corn stunt disease

[6] However, specific to D. maidis, one study suggests that the presence of S. kunkelii increases chances of D. maidis survival in colder weather, specifically 10-20 degrees Celsius, when either given oats or lived on moist sand, although this effect on survival was not found to be true in the case of freezing temperatures.

[2][16] In sweet corn, reflective mulches can be an effective way to control D. maidis and the disease it vectors, compared to insecticides.

[16][17] Although D. maidis is the major vector for S. kunkelii,[12] one study calls for a focus on all vectors that can transmit corn stunt disease, since, in addition to D. maidis, three other species of Dalbulus are able to spread and carry corn stunt spiroplasma.

[21][16][22][23][11][12][9][13] Also, maize chlorotic dwarf virus has also been reported to be implicated in corn stunt disease.

[12] Different combinations of these pathogens are notably present and cause serious problems in yield production in Central America, reported in Nicaragua,[23] Peru,[12] and Argentina,[24][25] and the southern part of the United States, where it was reported in California[3] and Florida.