[1] Maize (Zea mays) is a major cereal crop; it is third behind rice and wheat in production.

[3] If corn plants are infected with MDMV, ear formation and development are slowed leading to grain yield loss.

The aphid acquires the virus within seconds of feeding on an infected plant, either maize, Johnson grass, or sorghum.

[5] The virus can also be spread through the seed or mechanically by leaf rubbing of Johnson grass and sorghum.

[5] Depending on the hybrid, most maize plants will show higher rates of disease when infected earlier in the growing stage.

[5] MDMV does not overwinter in Minnesota and Wisconsin, which makes the source of inoculum in these northern states unclear.

[3] During infection after periods of cool night temperatures, about 60 °F, the plants may exhibit signs of the disease such as blotches or streaks of red.

Later in the growing season, the mosaic pattern may bleed into a general yellowing of the leaf and eventually areas of red streaks or blotches may appear if night time temperatures are consistently around 60 degrees Fahrenheit (Lipps & Mills, n.d.).

It is not uncommon for plants to have shortened upper internodes or an increase in tiller number (“Maize Dwarf Mosaic Virus,” n.d.).

It is best if all producers (farmers) in the area participate in this practice or the disease can remain in sporadic plant populations and be spread in the ways described above (Lipps & Mills, n.d.).