South Africa raises alert as Goss’s Wilt spreads across maize regions
Authorities warn farmers to strengthen control measures as the disease reaches more provinces.
SOUTH AFRICA – South Africa’s Department of Agriculture has raised concern over the spread of Goss’s Wilt, a bacterial disease that continues to affect maize production across the country.
The department shared an update that calls on farmers, growers and the public to stay alert as the disease appears in more areas.
Officials first recorded Goss’s Wilt in 2024 in four provinces, including Free State, North West, Gauteng and Eastern Cape. A follow-up survey in 2025 confirmed that the disease has since spread to Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Northern Cape and Western Cape. KwaZulu Natal remains the only province with no reported cases so far.
The department continues to work with research groups and industry partners to manage the situation. Teams are collecting local bacterial samples to improve testing and tracking systems. Researchers are also studying maize varieties to find those that can better withstand the disease.
At the same time, authorities are sharing practical advice with farmers and working to improve coordination between scientists and policymakers.
Goss’s Wilt falls under national plant health rules, which aim to reduce its spread. These rules limit the movement of plant material and farming equipment from affected areas to regions that remain free of the disease. Maize is the only crop of major economic value known to be affected.
The disease spreads in several ways. Within fields, it moves through contact between plants. Over longer distances, infected seeds can carry it, although this happens less often. Farm equipment such as harvesters and planters poses a higher risk, as it can transfer infected material between fields if farmers do not clean it well.
There are no chemical treatments available to control Goss’s Wilt. Farmers must rely on good farming practices such as crop rotation, planting resistant varieties and maintaining clean equipment. Strong hygiene and biosecurity steps remain key to limiting further spread and protecting maize production.
Recent updates also point to a stronger push to improve awareness and early detection. The department has increased field monitoring and plans to expand farmer training efforts. These steps aim to slow the spread and help farmers respond quickly when cases appear.
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