Incidence of Maize Streak Disease in Maize Cultivated During Late Cropping Season in Three Agricultural Zones of Benue State, Nigeria

Maize, an important staple crop is emerging as cash crop particularly for smallholder farmers in Nigeria. This paper evaluates the frequency of maize streak disease on maize sown during late cropping season in three agricultural zones of Benue State, with three maize cultivars; Super 98, Obasuper 1 and a local cultivar at the University of Agriculture Makurdi Research Farm using standard methods. Maize plots were sampled for streak disease from July to November. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and ANOVA with means separated using FLSD(p=0.05). Spread of maize streak was low (< 20.0%) across the agricultural zones. It was, however, significantly different (p≤0.05) among the zones with 17.2% average, although reached 19.2 % at Zone B in one occasion. Streak severity was equally significant (p≤0.05) but high (3.6%) across zones, reaching its peak, 3.7 at Zone C while zone B (3.4) was least. Disease spread among the LGAs in the State equally differed significantly (p<0.05). Gwer West (21.8%) and Otukpo (19.3%) had the highest spread. Lowest percentage spread of 12.7% and 14.0% were recorded in Konshisha and Katsina Ala, respectively. Streak severity also differed statistically (p<0.05) among the LGAs. Ado and Konshisha were highest with 3.9 and 3.7, respectively while Gwer West, which was highest for disease spread was least in severity. Disease spread in maize experimental plots was more or less comparable to spread in farmers' fields. It was low averaging 10.3%, in plots while severity of disease was high (≥3.5) in experimental plots. Keywords: Benue State, Disease spread, Late season, Maize streak, Zea mays