Tobacco Ringspot Virus

Soybean aphids are vectors of the Tobacco Ringspot Virus.

Tobacco ringspot virus (TRSV) is another soybean virus found in the North Central states. Of the many diseases caused by TRSV, budblight of soybeans is one of the the most severe. In general, most significant yield loss occurs when plants become infected before flowering. 

How TRSV spreads
The primary source of TRSV in soybeans is not clear. Seed transmission occurs, but at a very low rate.The dagger nematode can spread TRSV to some host species as it feeds, but transmission efficiency to soybean is low. 

Several insect vectors have been reported, including aphids Myzus persicae and Aphis gossypii ,  grasshoppers, the tobacco flea beetle, and thrips. However, these insect vectors are also not efficient vectors of TRSV. Additional research is needed to find out how virus can spread in soybeans more rapidly than expected through the activity of inefficient insect or nematode vectors, and the low amounts in seed.

Questions?
Please contact John Hill , Iowa State University

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