Transmission of Southern Bean Mosaic Virus from Soil to Bean Seeds. D. S. Teakle, Department of Microbiology, University of Queensland, St. Lucia 4067, Australia. T. J. Morris, Department of Plant Pathology, University of California, Berkeley 94720. Plant Dis. 65:599-600. Copyright 1981 American Phytopathological Society. DOI: 10.1094/PD-65-599.

After 12-hr exposure to virus-infested soil around the roots of bean plants infected with southern bean mosaic virus (SBMV), some Bountiful bean seeds acquired the virus and produced systemically infected plants. The incidence of infection was higher in bean seeds with cracked coats than in those with intact coats. Results were similar when bean seeds were soaked in SBMV preparations from leaves. Apparently SBMV infected the germinating seedlings mechanically, without the aid of a vector.