Description
Soybean mosaic virus (SMV) is a pathogenic plant virus of the family Potyviridae. Informally the virus is sometimes referred to as Crinkle. Soybean mosaic virus (SMV) causes stunted growth and crinkled leaves. Infected plants range from no symptoms to severely mottled and deformed. Leaf blades are often narrow and/or spindly with dark green swollen veins. Plants are often stunted, with petioles and internodes being usually shortened. Infected seed pods are often smaller, curled, and have less hair.
Soybean mosaic can also reduce seed size and pod number per plant, and soybean mosaic is one of several factors associated with discoloration of seeds, causing a dark discolored tear stain origination at the hilum. The virus can interact with bean pod mottle virus (BPMV) to create severe symptoms in plants infected with both viruses. Symptoms can be difficult to see when temperatures are above 90 °F. SMV can sometimes be confused with herbicide damage. Looking for a consistent pattern along a field's edge, an unlikely pattern for a SMV infection, can help differentiate the disease from herbicide damage