Southern bean mosaic virus: current state of research worldwide and potential harmfulness for leguminous crops in the Russian Federation

In recent years, there has been a significant increase in leguminous crops due to the need to eliminate protein deficiencies in human diets and feed for farm animals. Legumes are cultivated in all federal districts of the Russian Federation. Russia is also an exporter of soybeans and other legumes, so exported grain must meet phytosanitary requirements and be free from seedborne viral pathogens. Soybean crop acreage in the Russian Federation is increasing every year: soybean was grown on 3.6 million hectares in 2022 and 3.7 million hectares in 2023, representing a 6% yearonyear increase. The main factor contributing to the decline in leguminous crop yield is infection by various diseases, including viral ones. Plants of the Fabaceae family are susceptible to over 50 types of viruses. Among the harmful infections is the Southern bean mosaic virus or Sobemovirus (SBMV). Yield losses have been observed in the United States, Mexico, Spain and France, leading to an economic decline from the cultivation of host plants such as soybean, bean, mung bean and chickpea. The Southern bean mosaic virus (SBMV) is a phytopathogen that affects leguminous crops and poses a potential threat to Russian agriculture. The article examines its distribution, transmission routes, biological and genetic properties, as well as the epidemiological situation in countries that cultivate leguminous crops. Particular attention is paid to the potential economic damage caused by SBMV in soybean cultivation in the Russian Federation, including the risk of infection via seed material. The need to strengthen phytosanitary control in the context of growing soybean exports is established. The work emphasizes the importance of studying the SBMV in order to prevent its introduction and spread in Russian agroecosystems.