Asian Soybean Rust (ASR)

Asian soybean rust (ASR) is caused by the fungus Phakospora pachyrhizi. Until recently, ASR was distributed only in the Eastern hemisphere (Africa, Asia, Australia), South America, and Hawaii. During the 2004 growing season, however, a virulent strain of ASR was detected in nine southern states (Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, South Carolina, and Tennessee). Disease incidence increased in 2005 to include Kentucky, the North Carolina coast, and eastern Texas. ASR can drastically reduce yields in areas where it commonly occurs, so monitoring for this disease and application of preventive measures, if warranted, will likely be necessary for New Jersey soybean growers.

2007 Update

National:
On June 14th, a commercial soybean field in Hidalgo County, Texas was confirmed to have soybean rust. This county had rust earlier in the year. Scouting for soybean rust has intensified and soybean sentinel plots are now being monitored throughout most of the soybean growing areas. Moisture conditions vary with most areas remaining dry, although some additional rain has now occurred in the southeast and in parts of the high plains. The reports of rust occurrences to date are similar to last year with some exceptions of earlier reports of rust in Louisiana and in Texas on a commercial soybean field. Soybean rust has been detected in 10 counties in Florida, five counties in each of Georgia and Alabama, and two counties in each of Texas and Louisiana.

New Jersey:
Most soybeans are in VE to V3 stages. Scouting in Burlington, Cumblerland, and Gloucester began on June 12th with no indications of disease. New Jersey farmers should continue normal production practices. No soybean rust management tactics are warranted at this time.

For More Information:

• USDA Soybean Rust Information Web Site (public site)
• New Jersey Department of Agriculture Soybean Web Site

(Last updated June 19, 2007)