Plant Health Initiative

Soybean Viruses - Agronomic Impact

Leaf mottling is a typical symptom of BPMV infection, although it is not always present. Photo credit: Iowa State University

Virus diseases can cause significant yield reductions, decreased pod and seed set, reductions in oil content of seeds, and seed discoloration.

The impact of the more recently detected soybean viruses, such as the Soybean dwarf virus (SbDV), Tobacco streak virus (TSV), Soybean vein necrosis virus (SVNV) and Soybean yellow mottle mosaic virus, on soybean production is not yet known.

 

BPMV

Mild winters have allowed bean leaf beetles to overwinter and immigrate into soybean fields at unprecedented levels. This is correlated with very high incidences of BPMV early in the growing season when soybean plants are most sensitive. Even though the severity of BPMV-induced symptoms declines as plants mature, yield losses of up to 52% have been reported from BPMV-infected plants.

 

SMV

Yield losses from SMV infection have been reported as high as 94%. When soybean plants are infected with both BPMV and SMV, symptoms are more severe than infection by either virus alone and usually results in complete loss of yield.

 

AMV

In yield trials in Wisconsin, AMV infections resulted in yield losses of up to 48% (Mueller and Grau).

 

TSV

In yield trials, TSV can significantly reduce soybean yields, but the source of the virus and its impact on commercial soybean production are unknown. Almost all soybean varieties tested have been susceptible.

 

References

Mueller, E. E., and Grau, C. R. 2007. Seasonal progression, symptom development, and yield effects of Alfalfa mosaic virus epidemics on soybean in Wisconsin. Plant Disease 91:266-272.