Research history and the current status of maize ( Zea mays) rough dwarf disease (MRDD) were reviewed with respect to distribution, symptoms, pathogen, host range, transmission path, and varietal resistance to MRDD. Rice black streaked dwarf virus (RBSDV), maize rough dwarf virus (MRDV) and Mal de Rio Cuarto virus (MRCV) are all causative agents of MRDD around the world. RBSDV is the causative agent of MRDD in China. Small brown planthopper ( Laodelphax striatellus) was the vector of RBSDV. Crop interplanting, especially wheat intercropping with a maize cropping pattern, was closely related to the MRDD, which provided suitable habitat and a recurrent host for L. striatellus and RBSDV. Resistant germplasms have been lacking, and the application and prevention of technology did not meet the demands for managing MRDD until now. Coordinating the relationship between the high-effect planting model (interplanting) and disease prevention, developing simple, practical and high-effect control measures including the innovation of maize germplams resistant to the disease, are the problems needing to be solved in production.
