Plant Health Initiative

Soybean Mosaic Virus - Agronomic impact

Soybean mosaic virus does not generally affect yields. The major concern about this disease is seed  quality.

However, infection with more than one virus is common, and the risk of yield loss or reduced seed quality is much greater with a dual or multiple infection than with one virus alone. Alfalfa mosaic virus often occurs with SMV in the same plant. Tobacco streak virus and Bean pod mottle virus are also found in mulitple viral infections with SMV.

The agronomic impact of SMV infection and infection by other soybean viruses is currently an active area of soybean production research.