The Maize Streak Virus Centenary Pages |
|
The history of maize streak virus research is generally taken as starting in 1901, with the publication of the |
 |
| by Claude Fuller, Entomologist. However, in the Report he does make reference to articles in the "Agricultural Journal" for August 3rd and 31st, 1900, and quotes personal sources as having noticed the disease of "mealie variegation" as early as the 1870s. | Although Fuller came to erroneous conclusions as to the nature of the disease (he claimed it was due to soil deficiency or a "chemical enzyme" in soils, and could be combatted by intensive cultivation and "chemical manures"), his carefully-written account is of great historical interest. I have therefore copied the original, and reproduce it here. |