Management of Virus Diseases in Soybean

Soybean is a significant oilseed crop grown in various states of India. It is rich in protein and oil, making it both nutritious and economically beneficial. However, soybean crops are often affected by several virus diseases that hinder plant growth and reduce yields. These viral diseases cause yellowing of leaves, spots, and stunted growth in plants. In this article, we will discuss the symptoms and management of these viral diseases.

Virus Diseases Affecting Soybean

Yellow Mosaic Disease

• A major viral disease in soybean spread by aphids.
• Small yellow spots appear on soybean leaves, which gradually grow, causing the leaves to shrink and curl downward.
• This disease hampers plant growth and reduces the quality and quantity of pods, with light yellow spots forming on the pods.
• It can lead to significant yield loss in soybean.

Control

• Destroy the affected plants.
• Use disease-resistant varieties of soybean.
• Use 3-4 pheromone traps per acre to control insects.
• Set up 4-6 yellow sticky traps per acre to trap and kill flies.
• Practice crop rotation; continuous soybean farming increases the risk of virus diseases.
• Ensure that farming equipment and machinery are virus-free. Control weeds as they may act as virus carriers.
• Apply Thiamethoxam 25% WG (DeHaat Asear, Syngenta Actara, Dhanuka Areva) at a rate of 40-80 grams per acre.
• Spray Chlorpyrifos 50% + Cypermethrin 5% EC (DeHaat C Square, Hamla 550, Naag 505) at 2 ml per liter of water.
• To control sucking pests, use Thiamethoxam 12.6% + Lambda-Cyhalothrin 9.5% ZC (DeHaat Entokill, Syngenta Alika) at 50-80 ml per acre.
• Apply Imidacloprid 17.8% SL (Hifield Imigro, Dhanuka Media, Bayer Confidor) at 100 ml per acre.

Tobacco Ringspot Virus

• Causes wilting of soybean buds.
• Yield loss is most significant when the plant is infected before flowering.
• The primary source of the virus is unclear, but it may be transmitted through seeds.
• Thrips, aphids, grasshoppers, and tobacco flea beetles can act as carriers.

Control

• Remove and destroy infected plants.
• Use only healthy or virus-resistant seeds to prevent seed-borne infections.
• Practice crop rotation to reduce the risk of viral disease spread.
• Apply Thiamethoxam 25% WG (DeHaat Asear, Syngenta Actara, Dhanuka Areva) at 40-80 grams per acre.
• For sucking pest control, use Thiamethoxam 12.6% + Lambda-Cyhalothrin 9.5% ZC (DeHaat Entokill, Syngenta Alika) at 50-80 ml per acre.

Bean Pod Mottle Virus (BPMV)

• A widespread viral disease in soybean, with beetles being the most common carriers.
• Causes yellowing and spotting of leaves.
• Affected leaves become small and distorted, leading to stunted plant growth.
• BPMV also causes spots on pods, reducing their quality and number, ultimately decreasing yield.

Control

• Remove and destroy infected plants, especially in areas affected by mild winters.
• Keep farming tools and machinery virus-free. Control weeds, as they can act as virus carriers.
• Use virus-free seeds and select disease-resistant soybean varieties.
• Practice crop rotation to minimize disease spread.
• Apply Dimethoate 30% EC (Tafgor, Rogor) at 300 ml per acre.
• Spray Cyantraniliprole 10.26% OD (Syngenta Cymbush) at 360 ml per acre.
• Thiamethoxam 12.6% + Lambda-Cyhalothrin 9.5% ZC (DeHaat Entokill, Alika) can be applied at 80-100 ml per acre.
• Use Beta-Cyfluthrin 8.49% + Imidacloprid 19.81% (Bayer Solomon) at 140 ml per acre.
• Spray Acephate 50% + Imidacloprid 1.8% SP (Lancer Gold) at 300-400 grams per acre.
• Apply Tetraniliprole 18.18% SC (Bayer Vayego) at 100-120 ml per acre.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

Q: What diseases affect soybean?

A: Soybean in India is susceptible to various diseases, including soybean rust, bacterial pustule, anthracnose, stem canker, and charcoal rot. If not properly managed, these diseases can lead to significant yield losses.

Q: What are the major pests of soybean?

A: Major pests of soybean in India include stem borer, semi-looper, leaf folder, pod borer, whitefly, jassid, mite, and thrips. These pests can cause significant damage to soybean crops, leading to considerable yield reductions.

Q: When is the best time to plant soybean?

A: Soybean is mainly cultivated during the Kharif season, from June to July. The right planting time depends on location and climatic conditions. Ideally, soybean seeds should be sown when the soil temperature is around 25-30°C, with sufficient soil moisture.