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Soybean dwarf virus showing up
While the drought has reduced plant pests and diseases it has brought forth some other troubles such as viruses.
“Some insects that have a tendency to move in from weedy areas and they might be bringing viruses with them, for instance. And, so, we have been seeing a few odd virus situations in the soybean crop,” says Suzanne Bissonette, Plant Clinic and IPM Coordinator for the University of Illinois.
One of those viruses showing up in soybeans is Soybean Dwarf Virus, which originated in Japan and was discovered in Illinois five years ago. She tells Brownfield that it’s actually more common than Soybean Mosaic Virus. It causes stunted growth from the plant to the beans.
“It looks sort of like a bonsai soybean plant. But, it really depends on when it might have been infected. Now, aphids are responsible for transmitting this virus so if it was a little later in the season the plant might not be quite as dwarfed.”
There are few tools to manage Soybean Dwarf Virus although Bissonette says USDA virologists are looking for resistance and have found some varieties that seem to be more tolerant. The virus also causes leaves to pucker which can also be caused by herbicide drift and insect feeding. If in doubt, she encourages growers to send a sample to the U of I or other land grant university diagnostic lab.
AUDIO: Suzanne Bissonnette (7:00 mp3)
University of Illinois – ACES – Soybean Dwarfing and Puckering
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