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News & Info Missouri Soybean Association Missouri Department of Agriculture FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 15, 2004
SOYBEAN RUST FOUND IN U.S. JEFFERSON CITY, Mo.—The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) recently announced confirmation of the first case of soybean rust to hit the United States. It was found on leaf samples taken from two test plots at a Louisiana State University research farm. Soybean rust is a fungal disease spread primarily through wind-borne spores capable of traveling long distances very quickly. APHIS believes the massive hurricane season may be a contributing factor in the appearance of soybean rust in America. With Missouri’s harvest more than 90 percent complete, there is no reason to be concerned about possible infection this season. However, producers are encouraged to begin monitoring early for detection of symptoms in next year’s crop. There are two fungal species responsible for soybean rust. One type is Phakopsora pachyrhizi, commonly referred to as the Asian species. The other form, Phakopsora meibomiae, is known as the New World species. Asian soybean rust (ASR), the source of Louisiana’s outbreak, is the most aggressive species. Missouri Soybean Programs Executive Director/CEO Dale R. Ludwig said, “We are disappointed soybean rust has been discovered in the United States. Increasing education and awareness about the disease to producers has become a primary focus of our efforts. We will continue funding research to develop new technologies that will provide us with rust-resistant varieties.” Research is currently underway at the University of Missouri to develop a value-added soybean that is exclusively resistant to soybean rust. The plan is to use new technology to identify and deliver defense peptides that bind to infective structures of ASR and halt its development. To detect soybean rust, producers will need to look for small abrasions, on the lower leaves of their plants, that increase in size and change from a grayish color to a tan or reddish brown on the underside of the leaves. Although lesions are most commonly found on the leaves, they may also appear on petioles, stems and/or pods. “With this disease, your eyes are your own best defense,” says Missouri Department of Agriculture Director Peter Hofherr. “We want to stress to our growers how important it is for them to scout their fields early and often. Knowing how to identify soybean rust, and what to do if it is confirmed, is going to be crucial to the success of our future harvests.” Soybean rust can be treated with fungicides, but yield loss is still a possible threat. Depending on the extent of damage, two or more applications of fungicide may be required during the growing season, at a cost of approximately $20 to $25 per acre. Earlier this spring, the Missouri Department of Agriculture petitioned the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to approve the use of 10 trade name products to help combat Asian soybean rust. To date, there are four products still awaiting approval from EPA. If you would like to listen to the American Soybean Association’s media conference on the confirmation of ASR, it will be available for 30 days. Call 1-800-839-0680 and enter pin code 1025#. For additional information, visit www.aphis.usda.gov or contact the Missouri Soybean Association at 573-635-3819 or the Missouri Department of Agriculture, Plant Industries Division at 573-751-2462 or visit www.mda.mo.gov. # # # © Missouri Soybean Programs |