Controlling bean pod mottle virus (BPMV) (Genus Comovirus of soybean with spatial arrangement of maize-soybean in southeastern Nigeria

Field cultural practices of controlling Bean Pod Mottle Virus (BPMV) (genus comovirus) disease, involving thirteen spatial arrangements of maize/soybean (M:S) were studied for 2 years in Nsukka agro-ecological zone of Nigeria. Factorial arrangement of treatments in a randomized complete block design with three replications was used. Thirteen spatial arrangements of maize/soybean (M:S) constituted a factor while the health conditions of soybean plants (healthy and infected) constituted another factor. The thirteen spatial arrangements of maize/soybean (M:S) studied differed significantly in the incidence of BPMV disease. Spatial arrangement of 2:4 recorded the highest (82.5%) incidence, though statistically similar with spatial arrangements of 0:4(sole soyabean) (71.3%), 1:4 (76.3%) and 3:4 (70.0%). spatial arrangement of 3:1 recorded the lowest (7.5%) incidence though statistically similar with spatial arrangement of 1:1 (13.8%) and 1:2 (18.9%). Spatial arrangement of 1:2 recorded the highest (69.4) number of pods and grain yields (1.42t/ha), while the spatial arrangement, 3:1 recorded the lowest (40.80) number of pods and grain yield. Health conditions of the soybean plant affected significantly the yield. Healthy soybean plant produced the highest (1.49t/ha) grain yield while infected soybean plant produced the lowest grain yield.of 0..82 t / ha. Keywords: Spatial arrangement, Bean leaf beetle, Bean pod Mottl virus, Maize, Soybean.Agro-Science Vol. 3 (2) 2006: pp. 27-3