The most recent discovery of Asian soybean rust has been found in Thornton, Mississippi.The Delta Farm Press, in their reporting on this story, noted that this is the earliest the rust has been found so far north. So far no fungicide spray recommendations have been made. According to the report, Tom Allen, an assistant Extension/research professor at the Delta Research and Extension Center in Stoneville, MS, stated that the rust is currently localized on several fields that are close to each other.
The big concern, Allen notes, is that the rust could affect many late-planted soybeans in the Mid-South. Arkansas, for instance, has 2 million acres of the late soybeans north of I-40. The biggest concern in Mississippi is for the plants that went into the ground three to four weeks ago. In response to the concern, officials plan to scout the area very heavily to see where else the rust may be located.
To read the Delta Farm Press report, which contains Allen’s announcement, click here.
Posted: 08/10/09
