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Maize rough dwarf
JOURW;\L
OF INVERTEBRATE
Maize
Rough
PATHOLOGY
Dwarf.
Isalzc
22,
485
HARPAZ.
(19%)
Israel Universities xvi + 251 11\,.
Maize rough dwarf virus (MRDV) is best known as a devastating pathogen of hybrid corn; but, unlike other insect-vectored plant-pathogenic viruses, it is also \-Cry detrimental to its principal planthopper insect vector. Viruliferous LaodefphoL striulello [Homoptern (Fulgoroidea) : Delphncida~l produce few eggs, most of which do not develop to imagos. One of the book’s principal novel points of emphasis is the thesis that MRDV is primarily an insect pathogen, and only SC+ ondarily a plant pathogen. This concept is included in the subtitle of the book, “A Planthopprr Virus Disease Affecting Maize, Rice, Small Grain and Grasses.” American hybrid corn was introduced into Europe shortly after World War II, but the effects of MRDV were so severe that, taken as a whole, the introductions were not financially successful. The virus was unknown prior to this time since, fortunately, it does not occur in the Western Hemisphere. Dr. Harpaz began studies of MRDV in 1958, when it was first recognized in Israel. Research support was provided to him through U.S. Pl 480 monies from 1962 to 1967. Part of the book, although not presented as a separate section, is a report of the results of this researcll. Most of the text was prepared in 1969-1970, although literature coverage extends into 1971. More than 300 publications in a wide variety of languagrs arc cited. and many of these are discussed at length in English. Some very important contributions have been made to the literature since the book was prepared, most notably reports that the MRDV nucleic acid (double-stranded RNA) and structure (double capsid with spikes) at least grossly resemble those of the cytoplasmic polyhedrosis viruses of Lepidoptera. The book is divided into 14 chapters: Introduction; Symptomatology and Host Range; Mechanical, Graft, Dodder and Seed Transmission ;
Copyright All rights
@ 1973 I>y Academic Press. Inc. of reproduction in sny form reserved.
Press, drrusalem,
Israel. 1972.
Insect Transmission; Virus-Vector Relationshills ; Trans-ovum Transmission and Harmful Eff(~ts of the Virus on the Vector; Virus-Host Plani Physical Properties of the Virus; Electron Microscopy of t.he Virus; Relationship hetwt+ll MRDV and other Maize Viruses, or Maize Diseases and Disorders with Viruslike Symptoms ; Relationship between MRDV and other I’l:m~ Viruses Transmitted by Delphacid Planthoppers ; Morphology and Biology of Vector Species; Epiphyto!ogy of the Disease; and Control of th? Disease. The book has 64 illustrations and 20 tables, is well index& and is virtually free of typographical errors. It is a very valuable contribution to the scientific literatue in that, in addition to presenting prc\-iously unpublished data.. it pro\-idt,s in a single volume a synthesis of all the informntion available on this important virus up to 1971. Unfortunately, the sale price, U.S. $24, appears esressively high for n Ilook of 251 pages printl,d on nonglossy paper: an d ihis will probably r&rict the number of indil-iduals purc*hnsing it.. The pric:c is particularly difficult to understand in %rn of the :~ckno~vlctlgi~~cnt (1). xi) that, “This putJic:ation has bcrn financrd in part by :I grant from the United Spates Department of Agriculture .!I In my opinion, this book is a rccluirctl accession for all libraries used by virologists, plant patJhologists, and/or insert linthoiogists; and where possihlc it should be in the personal library of those vitally intereatrd in vcclor-horns, viruses :md ‘01 insect viruses:. DONALD W. ROBERTS Boyce
Thompson for
Plnr~t
10~6’ North Yonkers, Nf’ur
Institute Research Bi-o&way I*Orli 10701
OF INVERTEBRATE
Maize
Rough
PATHOLOGY
Dwarf.
Isalzc
22,
485
HARPAZ.
(19%)
Israel Universities xvi + 251 11\,.
Maize rough dwarf virus (MRDV) is best known as a devastating pathogen of hybrid corn; but, unlike other insect-vectored plant-pathogenic viruses, it is also \-Cry detrimental to its principal planthopper insect vector. Viruliferous LaodefphoL striulello [Homoptern (Fulgoroidea) : Delphncida~l produce few eggs, most of which do not develop to imagos. One of the book’s principal novel points of emphasis is the thesis that MRDV is primarily an insect pathogen, and only SC+ ondarily a plant pathogen. This concept is included in the subtitle of the book, “A Planthopprr Virus Disease Affecting Maize, Rice, Small Grain and Grasses.” American hybrid corn was introduced into Europe shortly after World War II, but the effects of MRDV were so severe that, taken as a whole, the introductions were not financially successful. The virus was unknown prior to this time since, fortunately, it does not occur in the Western Hemisphere. Dr. Harpaz began studies of MRDV in 1958, when it was first recognized in Israel. Research support was provided to him through U.S. Pl 480 monies from 1962 to 1967. Part of the book, although not presented as a separate section, is a report of the results of this researcll. Most of the text was prepared in 1969-1970, although literature coverage extends into 1971. More than 300 publications in a wide variety of languagrs arc cited. and many of these are discussed at length in English. Some very important contributions have been made to the literature since the book was prepared, most notably reports that the MRDV nucleic acid (double-stranded RNA) and structure (double capsid with spikes) at least grossly resemble those of the cytoplasmic polyhedrosis viruses of Lepidoptera. The book is divided into 14 chapters: Introduction; Symptomatology and Host Range; Mechanical, Graft, Dodder and Seed Transmission ;
Copyright All rights
@ 1973 I>y Academic Press. Inc. of reproduction in sny form reserved.
Press, drrusalem,
Israel. 1972.
Insect Transmission; Virus-Vector Relationshills ; Trans-ovum Transmission and Harmful Eff(~ts of the Virus on the Vector; Virus-Host Plani Physical Properties of the Virus; Electron Microscopy of t.he Virus; Relationship hetwt+ll MRDV and other Maize Viruses, or Maize Diseases and Disorders with Viruslike Symptoms ; Relationship between MRDV and other I’l:m~ Viruses Transmitted by Delphacid Planthoppers ; Morphology and Biology of Vector Species; Epiphyto!ogy of the Disease; and Control of th? Disease. The book has 64 illustrations and 20 tables, is well index& and is virtually free of typographical errors. It is a very valuable contribution to the scientific literatue in that, in addition to presenting prc\-iously unpublished data.. it pro\-idt,s in a single volume a synthesis of all the informntion available on this important virus up to 1971. Unfortunately, the sale price, U.S. $24, appears esressively high for n Ilook of 251 pages printl,d on nonglossy paper: an d ihis will probably r&rict the number of indil-iduals purc*hnsing it.. The pric:c is particularly difficult to understand in %rn of the :~ckno~vlctlgi~~cnt (1). xi) that, “This putJic:ation has bcrn financrd in part by :I grant from the United Spates Department of Agriculture .!I In my opinion, this book is a rccluirctl accession for all libraries used by virologists, plant patJhologists, and/or insert linthoiogists; and where possihlc it should be in the personal library of those vitally intereatrd in vcclor-horns, viruses :md ‘01 insect viruses:. DONALD W. ROBERTS Boyce
Thompson for
Plnr~t
10~6’ North Yonkers, Nf’ur
Institute Research Bi-o&way I*Orli 10701