Soybean Virus Symptoms

Search the site

Disease: Viruses

Basics

Symptoms

Links to state resources

Founded by the North Central Soybean Research Program --and funded by the Soybean Checkoff – this website is a portal to current, science-based information on soybean pests and diseases, from university soybean researchers throughout the 12-state region.

Your Soybean Checkoff.
Delivering Results.

University of Illinois
Southern Illinois University

Iowa State University

Kansas State University

Michigan State University

University of Minnesota

University of Missouri

University of Nebraska

North Dakota State University

Ohio State University

Purdue University

South Dakota State University

University of Wisconsin

Soybean Viruses - Symptoms

Most virus-infected plants have fewer pods, lower-than-expected yields and are stunted to some degree. Pods may be flatter and smaller.

Different viruses can cause similar symptoms, and infection by more than one virus is common.

bpmv

BPMV

Mottling and mosaic leaf symptoms - click on images to view a larger version

Virus-infected leaves may show a mosaic of light and dark areas. Leaf margins may curl downward.

Viruses associated with mosaic symptoms:

Soybean mosaic virus (SMV)
Bean pod mottle virus (BPMV)
Alfalfa mosaic virus (AMV)
Tobacco streak virus (TSV)
Tobacco ringspot virus (TRV)

Foliar symptoms of virus infection will be most apparent during times of rapid growth and cooler weather. Sometimes foliar symptoms resemble injury from herbicide drift.

Photo credit: Marvin Rice, Iowa State University

rugose leaves

Bumpy, rugose (rough) leaves - click on images to view a larger version

Viruses associated with rugose leaves:

Soybean mosaic virus (SMV)
Bean pod mottle virus (BPMV)
Tobacco streak virus (TSV)
Tobacco ringspot virus (TRV)

These photos also shows some leaf mosaic symptoms
(irregular patterns of light and dark green)

Seed coat mottling, bleeding hilum, discoloration of soybean seed
Viruses associated with discolored seed:

Soybean mosaic virus (SMV)
Bean pod mottle virus (BPMV)
Tobacco streak virus (TSV)

Vein clearing and leaf necrosis

Soybean vein necrosis virus (SVNV)

Click on image to view a larger version

Photo credit: Melvin Newman, University of Tennessee

"Shepherd's crook" - click on image to view a larger version

A curving of the terminal bud on the main stem, forming a "shepherd’s crook", can be a symptom of Tobacco ringspot virus infection.

Photo credit: Loren Giesler, University of Nebraska

Plant Health Initiative