[2] BPMV is the viral pathogen that causes the disease Bean Pod Mottle in soybeans and other legumes such as snap peas.

BPMV is a species in the plant pathogenic virus family Comoviridae, and genus Comovirus is characterized by icosahedral symmetry, non-enveloped, having two single stranded positive-sense RNAs (RNA-1 and RNA-2) separately encapsulated in isomeric particles, and are between 28 and 30 nm in diameter.

The BPMV disease has most significantly affected soybeans; causing yield losses, reduced seed quality, and predisposing the plant to infection from the Phomopsis fungus, among other consequences.

(University of Minnesota Extension, 2016[5]) BPMV can be transferred via insect vector such as the bean leaf beetle or from infected seed which is a low occurrence (Michigan State University Field Crop Pathology[6]), although it is still not fully understood how the virus gets from one host from another host, if not bean leaf beetles.

In addition to yield, BPMV can reduce grain quality through protein and oil content, reduced seed quality and performance (discolored appearance, low germination and seedling vigor), delayed plant maturation, and the predisposition to other stresses and diseases (such as infection of Phomopsis fungus decreasing germination of seed and seedling vigor).

(Smith, Wisconsin Field Crops Pathology[8]) (University of Minnesota Extension, 2016[5]) BPMV cannot be removed from the plant once infected, so it is important to take action to avoid the virus, or prevent it from spreading.

Management of the virus is difficult because there is not a wide range of options, and none can solve the problem completely, but a comprehensive strategy is more effective than depending on one method.