March 2006 e-newsletter

Trouble in Alabama
In late February, researchers found live Asian rust spores on kudzu in Montgomery County, Alabama, in the central part of the state. The kudzu is located in spots protected by old buildings. Low temperatures in the mid 20s F - temps that normally cause dieback - were recently recorded in the area. In Alabama, rust also has been reported growing on sites in the southernmost counties of Mobile and Baldwin, along the Gulf Coast. For more info: Southeast Farm Press E-News

Wintering in Florida
Researchers report that spring frosts have killed nearly all of the 20 acres of kudzu that were known to have been producing spores in Florida. That's good news for soybean producers. However, because of mild winter conditions, there appears to be more rust-infected kudzu than last year, about 250 acres, suggesting that the potential for Asian rust appearing in the Midwest is at least equal to - and probably greater than - it was in 2005.

"Remember, just because there are spores present in your area, it doesn't mean you'll have the disease. Listen to credible, independent sources of information carefully, there is no reason to apply fungicide needlessly." -- DW

Messin' with Texas
Researchers have found Asian rust spores overwintering in Texas, farther west than projected, causing concern that rust could be a problem this year. Source: Agrimarketing E-News

Japan setting new residue limits
If Asian rust hits in 2006, growers will need to consider Japan's new residue limits in their management plans. To be released in May by the Japanese Ministry of Health, the limits cover all imported food and grain, including pesticides used on both food grade and commodity soybeans. Growers will need to make sure they don't make an application too late on soybeans, because it may result in Japan rejecting the entire shipload. Too many rejected loads, and the United States may fall out of favor as a source of soybean for Japan, our third largest customer for soybean export.

"We're dealing with new invasive species, Asian rust and aphids, and we also have to be mindful of applying late-season chemicals that might result in residue limits that exceed limits mandated by our Japanese customers. It's going to be a balancing act, as growers try to improve late-season plant health while observing pre-harvest intervals." -- DW

Good news from South America
Iowa State University Extension economist Robert Wisner just returned from Brazil, and reports that breeders at the Mato Grosso Foundation believe they'll have a soybean variety that's Asian rust-resistant within two to three years. Officials at EMBRAPA (Brazil's USDA), however, suspect it might take a bit longer. Wisner also reports that the 2006 Brazilian crop is projected to be 58.5 million metric tons, larger than last year's by an estimated 5.5 million bushels. Source: Soybean E-Digest.

Information on these pages is from the cooperative effort of researchers throughout the North Central states. Information from this site can be copied and distributed for educational use. Please credit the source with our name and URL: NCSRP Plant Health Initiative at www.planthealth.info. Please do not use copyrighted photos without permission.