Soybean researchers and industry leaders met in St. Louis, Mo.,
at the second annual National Soybean Rust Symposium sponsored
by the American Phytopathological Society with financial assistance
from the North Central Soybean Research Program, the United Soybean
Board and the Iowa Soybean Association.
Asian soybean rust was found in 15 states, including 231 counties
or parishes, during the 2006 growing season. The economic impact
of this potentially devastating disease was low primarily because
of a severe drought in southeastern states early in the growing
season. Researchers also believe that the relatively low number
of hurricanes that hit the U.S. is also a reason for the low impact
of soybean rust.
It is generally agreed that in the absence of drought conditions
Asian soybean rust may have developed in Midwest states. Checkoff
and USDA-funded research has confirmed that Asian soybean rust
spores did fall in all Midwest states. Although spores were found
in rain collection systems and were confirmed using PCR analysis,
the viability of those spores remains unknown.
Industry participants presented many studies comparing the efficacy
of fungicides for the control of Asian soybean rust. Although many
fungicides provided acceptable control of the disease, it is recommended
that farmers use at least one triazole in their control program.
Many new fungicides and fungicide combinations have been submitted
to EPA for Section 18 registration.
One of the more interesting research projects confirmed that row
width of soybean did not influence the spread of Asian soybean
rust within a field. The research looked at 7-inch, 15-inch and
30-inch row widths and tracked movement from an initial infected
site within the field.
Much of the checkoff-funded research on Asian soybean rust was
highlighted at this symposium. The checkoff has invested more than
$7.5 million dollars in rust related research since 2001. Much
of the research being conducted by Land Grant University scientists
is funded, or partially funded, by the checkoff.
Approximately 30 percent of the presentations and posters presented
represented research conducted at the University of Florida Research
Station at Quincy, FL. The North Central Soybean Research program
recently began working with the University of Florida administration
to enable Midwest scientists to conduct research in Florida where
a natural infestation of soybean rust is most likely.
Proceedings of the symposium, including PowerPoint presentations
can be found at www.plantmanagementnetwork.org.
National
Soybean Rust Symposium