NPIPM:Green stem syndrome on soybean
Authors: Buyung Hadi and Dean Malvick
Causal Organism
The cause of green stem syndrome is unknown. Association between plants with green stem syndrome and Bean pod mosaic virus (BPMV) infection has been proposed, but recent research showed no causal relationship between the two. Plants infected with BPMV often showed no symptom of green stem syndrome and plants with green stem syndrome often found to be free of BPMV. Other causes have been speculated, including genetic mutations in soybean plant, low soil moisture, potassium deficiency and green stink bug damage. Up to date, the definitive cause of green stem syndrome remain unknown.
Symptoms and Signs
The stems and leaves of plants with green stem syndrome remain green after the pods have matured and are ready to harvest. At this stage of soybean development, normally the stems and leaves have turned brown and dry.
Disease Impacts
As the green stems are more difficult for the combine knife to cut, incidence of green stem syndrome in a field may slow harvest and increase fuel consumption.
Management Approaches
The incidence and severity of green stem syndrome has been reported to vary among soybean cultivars. Specific management strategy is unclear since the cause of green stem syndrome is still unknown.
