Diagnosis and management of bacterial stripe in maize: Current limitations and perspectives for the control of Acidovorax avenae subsp. avenae

Abstract

Maize (Zea mays L.) is one of the most important cereal crops worldwide, playing a fundamental role in food security, animal nutrition, and industrial production. Among the bacterial diseases affecting maize, bacterial stripe caused by Acidovorax avenae subsp. avenae has emerged as a significant phytosanitary concern due to its wide host range, seedborne nature, and capacity to survive in crop residues and alternative hosts. This review aimed to synthesize current knowledge regarding the biology, epidemiology, symptomatology, diagnosis, and management of A. avenae subsp. avenae, highlighting existing limitations and future perspectives for disease control. A narrative literature review was conducted using scientific publications indexed in national and international databases, with emphasis on studies published between 2020 and 2026. The pathogen causes characteristic water-soaked lesions that develop into elongated chlorotic and necrotic stripes, leading to reductions in photosynthetic capacity and crop performance. Recent advances in molecular diagnostics, including polymerase chain reaction (PCR), quantitative PCR (qPCR), sequencing technologies, and genomic approaches, have improved pathogen detection and epidemiological investigations. However, disease management remains challenging due to the limited availability of resistant cultivars and the inconsistent efficacy of chemical and biological control measures. Integrated disease management, combining cultural practices, pathogen-free seeds, biological control agents, host resistance, and disease monitoring, currently represents the most effective strategy. Emerging technologies such as remote sensing, artificial intelligence, precision agriculture, and gene-editing tools offer promising opportunities for improving disease detection, surveillance, and control. Future research should focus on pathogen diversity, host–pathogen interactions, resistance mechanisms, and climate change effects to support the development of sustainable management strategies for bacterial stripe in maize production systems.