Soybeans: Bean Pod Mottle Virus

Excerpt from Agronomy Guide for Field Crops (Chapter 4)

Order OMAFRA Publication 811: Agronomy Guide for Field Crops

Table of Contents

1. Incidence
2. Appearance
3. Disease Cycle
4. Management Strategies
5. Updates on Soybeans: Bean Pod Mottle Virus
6. Related links...

Incidence

Bean pod mottle virus has caused significant economic losses in the midwestern United States and has recently been identified in Ontario. Bean pod mottle virus can affect soybean quality and therefore, export potential.

Appearance

A common symptom of virus infection is uneven crop maturity or "green stem" in which stems and leaves remain green even though pods have matured. Young leaves in the upper canopy often have a green-to-yellow mottling that may fade and then redevelop later in the growing season. In severe cases, malformed leaves and pods may be produced. Infected leaves show reduced turgidity resulting in curling. A reduction in the number of pods often occurs in infected plants that have undergone dry or drought stress. Infected seed coats are mottled with brown or black streaks extending from the hilum.

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Disease Cycle

Cool weather enhances disease development. Unlike soybean mosaic virus, bean pod mottle virus does not spread very efficiently in seed but is primarily vectored by the bean leaf beetle and possibly the cucumber beetle. The virus has a wide host range among legumes and will be transferred to bean leaf beetles that feed on infected legume plants. The virus can be spread by mechanical injury, especially under wet conditions.

Management Strategies

Plant disease-free seed or resistant varieties in areas with a history of the disease. Consider controlling bean leaf beetle adults when populations are high early in the season. For bean leaf beetle thresholds, see the section Bean Leaf Beetle (BLB).

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Updates on Soybeans: Bean Pod Mottle Virus

No updates available at this time.

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Related links...

• Disease
• Soybeans
• Field Crop Protection Guide - Publication 812

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