Soybean rust scouts in Missouri are on alert and intensifying their surveys of soybean fields in southern Missouri after soybean rust has turned up in both west-central Mississippi and southeast Arkansas. Soybean rust has been detected in Missouri in four of the last five years.The areas where the rust has been discovered in the south puts the rust within 250 miles of southeastern Missouri. Whether or not the rust makes it into Missouri depends a lot upon the weather. While sunshine can kill spores, rain and humidity enhance the chances of rust spreading. 2009 tropical storm season has just started.
Soybean rust, which can be spread from kudzu leaves as well as soybean leaves, defoliates soybean plants. Among the more vulnerable are late-maturing soybean plants. In Missouri soybean rust is typically discovered near the harvest in September and October.
According to an article in the Delta Farm Press, Allen Wrather, a plant pathologist at the University of Missouri Extension at the MU Delta Center, Portageville heading the scouting network, believes farmers should not apply fungicides early as a preventative measure. ‘“When spores arrive, MU Extension specialists will make recommendations on control measures and timing.”’
Soybean scouting reports can be found by clicking here.
To read the Delta Farm Press article click here.
Posted: 08/18/09
