Soybean Mosaic Virus - Management

Plant SMV-free seed

Infected seeds are the most important means that soybean mosaic virus is introduced into a soybean field. Therefore, planting SMV-free seed is an effective way of controlling the disease. SMV is seldom detected in weeds or other legume crops.

Late planting increases risk

Once established in a field, aphid vectors spread the virus when feeding. Late planting coincides with higher populations of the soybean aphid and increases the probability of transmission to young seedlings. Infection in the early growth stages has the greatest risk of yield loss and reduced seed quality, compared to infection later in the season.

Variety selection

Most commercial soybean varieties are susceptible to SMV. However, resistance to SMV has been identified in soybean genotypes and varieties. Many promising genotypes have been identified in maturity groups appropriate for the North Central region. It is likely that recommendations for SMV resistant soybean varieties will be available to growers in the not-too-distant future.

Several promising lines have common parental backgrounds. Parker, (Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station), and Colfax (Nebraska Agricultural Experiment Station), expressed low symptom severity. Archer (Iowa Agricultural Experiment Station) was also identified as a common parent.

Insecticides are not effective in reducing transmission of SMV by aphids

Aphids present at spraying are killed, but the field is quickly recolonized by winged aphids and virus transmission can resume. Aphids that contact insecticide residues on the leaf surface are killed, but are capable of virus transmission prior to death.

Accurate diagnosis is important

Symptoms of SMV can be similar to other virus diseases. However, because virus infections involve specific combinations of virus, host, and vectors, management strategies may be very different among viruses. If a virus problem is suspected, growers need to know the most prevalent virus or viruses involved. Most diagnostic clinics in the North Central region can perform serological tests that distinguish among soybean viruses.

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