Date: 15 March 2007
From: ProMED-mail <promed@promedmail.org>
Source: Wallaces Farmer [edited]
<http://wallacesfarmer.com/index.aspx?ascxid=fpStory&fpsid=27402&fpstid=2>

Asian soybean rust has never been identified in an Iowa field since the disease was reported in the continental United States in November 2004. However, the disease now has been conclusively identified on soybean plant tissue submitted to the Iowa Soybean Rust Team last week.

This soybean residue is reported to have been recovered from a bin of soybeans produced in Iowa [in the midwestern United States] in 2006.
Efforts are underway to identify other remnant plant residue that may show symptoms and signs of the disease in order to figure out the details of this event. The fungus and the spores that cause the disease cannot survive without green leaf tissue and will die during Iowa winters. The recently discovered rust fungus does not pose a risk of infection for the 2007-growing season in Iowa.

"The fast, conclusive identification of soybean rust in this one particular plant residue sample illustrates the rapid diagnostic capabilities available at Iowa State University (ISU) to protect the state's soybean crop from the threat of this disease," says Wendy Wintersteen, dean of ISU's College of Agriculture.

"This discovery reminds us that it is possible for Iowa fields to become infected with this disease," says David Wright, director of contract research at the Iowa Soybean Association. "Nonetheless, growers should not overreact to this development. Instead, growers must be ready to act appropriately and economically in 2007, should this disease show up again in Iowa and be a threat to soybean yields."

Bill Northey, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture, says the finding does not necessarily increase the risk for the 2007 crop. "The confirmation of this disease in the 2006 crop does not guarantee that we will have Asian soybean rust in the 2007 Iowa soybean crop," he points out.

"As in previous years, farmers should monitor the growing conditions and weather conditions that favor the development of rust and consult with ISU Extension specialists on identification and management plans. However, it is imperative for farmers to avoid the inclination to panic and take drastic, costly, and unnecessary action before positively identifying soybean rust in their fields."

The Iowa Soybean Rust Team is made up of specialists from ISU's College of Agriculture and ISU Extension, the Iowa Soybean Association, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and USDA's (United States Department of Agriculture) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.

The Iowa Rust Team recruited and trained more than 600 agribusiness professionals from 2004 to 2006 to serve as "First Detectors." These people can examine leaf samples and decide whether the samples warrant further investigation for possible infection with soybean rust by ISU Extension personnel in the state or by campus-based ISU scientists.

Growers are encouraged to consult --free of charge-- with Iowa Soybean Rust Team First Detectors in the 2007-growing season if they observe plants that they suspect might have soybean rust. The names and contact information for First Detectors is available at <http://www.plantpath.iastate.edu/soybeanrust/> and at county Extension offices.

[Byline: Rod Swoboda]

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ProMED-mail
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15 Mar 2007
From: ProMED-mail <promed@promedmail.org>
Source: USDA Public PIPE Website [edited] <http://www.sbrusa.net/>
National Soybean Rust Commentary (updated: 03/15/07)

Warmer temperatures have increased the growth of kudzu in the south.

A number of soybean sentinel plots have been planted and emerged (especially in MS). Scouting efforts continue on new growth of kudzu vines. Soybean rust has been detected on kudzu in eight counties in Florida and in five counties in Georgia and Alabama. The disease was also detected on soybeans in one county in Texas. This field was destroyed about March 1, 2007, and has been planted to corn. There have been no reports of soybean rust surviving the winter in Louisiana, Mississippi, or South Carolina. Scouting efforts have increased on kudzu and newly emerged soybeans.

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ProMED-mail
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[Photographs of soybean rust can be seen at
http://www.dtnsoybeanrustcenter.com/index.cfm?show=65&mid=60&page=ALL
- CopyEd.MJ
A map of infected areas in the USA as at the end of 2006 is shown at http://www2.sbrusa.net/dy_images/sbr_117415282040375675.png - Mod.JW]

["Asian soybean rust (ASR) is a plant disease caused by the fungus _Phakopsora pachyrhizi_ and was introduced into the USA in 2004. In addition to the crop plant soybean (_Glycine max_), cowpeas, green beans, and other edible legumes could be affected by the ASR pathogen which causes defoliation and yield reduction. Kudzu (_Pueraria lobata_, a.k.a. Japanese arrowroot) is an important alternate host for the pathogen in southern states of the USA. - Mod.JAD"]

2005

Soybean rust, Asian strain - USA: 2005 disease summary 20051228.3694 Soybean rust, Asian strain - USA (KY)(02): confirmed 20051219.3640 Soybean rust, Asian strain - USA (multistate) (10) 20051218.3628 Soybean rust, Asian strain - USA (KY): 1st report 20051123.3404 Asian soybean rust, Asian strain - USA (multistate) 20050724.2133 Soybean rust, Asian strain - USA (AL) 20050715.2029 Soybean rust, Asian strain - USA (multistate)(03) 20050714.2005 Soybean rust, Asian strain - USA (LA) 20050624.1769 Soybean rust, Asian strain - USA (FL) (02) 20050620.1731 Soybean rust, Asian strain - USA (GA) 20050505.1245 Soybean rust, Asian strain - USA (FL): 1st report 2005 20050309.0693

2004