Sick Corn: When Leafhoppers Threaten an Ancient Tradition

This study examines the impact of maize bushy stunt disease (MBS) on native maize varieties grown by small subsistence farmers in the state of Puebla, Mexico. Although symptoms such as stunting and leaf reddening are widely observed, researchers found that farmers are largely unaware of the phytoplasmas and insect vectors responsible for the disease. The analysis showed that insecticide use was the only factor significantly reducing disease incidence, whereas the absence of weed control favored its spread. In response to this lack of technical knowledge, the authors recommend educational programs and workshops to help rural communities protect this ancestral crop. These interventions aim to stabilize family incomes by introducing integrated pest management strategies against leafhoppers. Ultimately, the study highlights the need for agricultural policies that preserve the genetic diversity of native Mexican maize.https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-017-9966-0