*2.2. Data Acquisition and Processing*

Data collection and measurements were performed at the R2 blister stage period (14 September 2017); it is not only the peak season of MDMV but also an important period for yield estimation. Two healthy corn samples were collected from each plot, and destructive samples were obtained from the upper, middle, and lower layers (three pieces from each layer). Moreover, 360 healthy leaves and 72 MDMV-infected red leaves (hereinafter referred to as red leaves) were collected throughout the study area. All blades were placed in plastic bags and transported to the laboratory in an incubator. The collected red leaf samples are presented in Figure 2.

**Figure 2.** Maize plants and leaves infected with MDMV.
