SCMV (3) infects numerous species in the Gramineae. The virus is transmitted by inoculation of sap and in the non-persistent manner by aphids.
SCMV causes mosaic diseases in sugarcane and some other graminaceous plants and occurs in most parts of the world where sugarcane is grown.
Strains adapted to perennial hosts other than sugarcane may occur remote from sugarcane plantations.
Sorghum, maize and some wild grasses growing near infected sugarcane may be infected naturally.
Although sap transmission tests have shown that many graminaceous species are susceptible, cultivated cereals such as wheat, barley, rye and rice are rarely infected naturally
