Effect of Sowing Time on the Incidence of Bud Blight in Soybean (Glycine max L. Merr.)

Abstract

The incidence of soybean bud blight in soybeans in Brazil is sporadic in most of the production areas but is endemic in a few others. Tobacco streak virus (TSV), the causal agent, is transmitted by thrips. The vector population starts declining everytime the amount of accumulated rain is over 300 mm. A four year trial (1986—1990) indicated that by delaying the sowing time it was possible to drastically reduce the incidence of the disease, allowing farmers to grow a cash crop. Significant correlations were observed between percentage of infection, number of days with rain, total of accumulated rain and total of thrips surveyed. A multiple linear regression (y = 23.93 + 0.7 × 1—0.06 × 2) that accounted for 80 % of the variation was obtained, considering percentage of infected plants (y), total of thrips (×1) and total of accumulated rain (×2). Results indicated that farmers should sow during the month of December, in areas where the disease is endemic.