A Molecular and Field Survey Approach to Understanding Legume Viruses in Alabama

Abstract

Legumes grown in Alabama contribute to hundreds of millions of dollars for the state’s economy. During the soybean growing season, viruses prevalent in Alabama such as Soybean mosaic virus (SMV), Soybean vein necrosis virus (SVNV), Tobacco streak virus (TSV), and Bean pod mottle virus (BPMV) have the potential to infect crops and cause wide yield losses. A soybean viral survey was performed over the 2020 Alabama soybean growing season to identify viruses present in the field as well as their insect vectors. Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV), is another virus in Alabama which was experimented on within a molecular environment. TSWV proteins were fused to GFP/mRFP tags to identify localization when expressed in insect cells. Results from the viral survey identified SVNV being transmitted by thrips in the 2020 soybean growing season. Data from TSWV protein localization reveals where proteins are expressed in insect cells.