Open PRAIRIE: Open Public Research Access Institutional Repository and Information Exchange
Abstract
Soybean rust, caused by the fungus Phakopsora pachyrhizi, was first introduced to the U.S. in Fall 2004. It survived the winter in small pockets of infected kudzu in Florida and produced a widespread low-severity disease in the southeastern U.S. in 2005. During Winter 2005, the pathogen survived over a much wider area and appears to have become established in Mexico. That means the threat from soybean rust is greater in 2006 than in 2005, and we can expect that the threat will generally increase over the coming years as the pathogen becomes established in new areas with little risk of winter freeze. Fungicides remain the only practical and effective control for this disease. Several fungicides have received EPA labeling and more products are being considered. Which fungicide products are available is a constantly changing landscape. Check with your local county Extension office for a listing of the most current products or go to http://plantsci.sdstate.edu/planthealth and link to Soybean Rust
