Kiersten Wise, Daren Mueller, Iowa State, and Damon Smith, Wisconsin
Soybean Vein Necrosis Virus (SVNV) causes a virus disease in soybean that has been observed across the North Central U.S. in the last few years. The following video describes how to accurately diagnosis SVNV and distinguish this disease from other common soybean diseases.
Symptoms caused by this virus include light green patches or mottled green and brown speckled areas associated with veins. As symptoms progress, affected leaf tissue may die, and leaves will appear scorched.
SVNV is a virus that is vectored by tiny, winged insects called thrips. Thrips do not commonly cause economic damage to soybeans in the Midwest. Although farmers may be tempted to apply an insecticide to reduce thrips populations “just in case,” at this point in time we do not recommend insecticide applications in response to detection of SVNV since we don’t know what, if any, effect disease may have on yield. For now, we will continue to keep an eye on this disease, and assess its potential impact so that we can make more informed future management recommendations.
Check out some videos on SVNV at the links below: