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The discovery of soybean rust in Louisiana could be described as a bad news/limited good news situation according to Seth Naeve, University of Minnesota soybean specialist.

The bad news is that the disease poses a serious threat to Minnesota ’s $1.3 billion soybean crop. The limited good news is that the discovery of the disease on Nov. 10 means there is not a threat to the 2004 crop and there is time to prepare for the threat to the 2005 crop.

For the last two years, University of Minnesota researchers and extension specialists have worked closely with the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, the Minnesota Soybean Growers Association and the Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council to prepare for soybean rust. “This cooperative effort will help Minnesota growers deal with the threat of Asian soybean rust if it reaches our state,” said Charles Muscoplat, vice president and dean, College of Agricultural , Food and Environmental Sciences.

In September, the University of Minnesota Outreach , Research and Education Park (UMore Park) in Rosemount hosted a USDA training exercise to develop methods to quickly identify the disease and employ tactics to minimize the spread of the soybean rust fungus and the damage it causes.  The procedures identified at the training exercise will be a crucial part of the USDA’s response to the threat of Asian soybean rust.

Naeve, a University Agronomy and Plant Genetics faculty member and extension specialist, said educating first detectors and producers to correctly identify soybean rust is key. Successful field scouting will help detect the presence of soybean rust early. That detection will be difficult because the early effects of rust can appear similar to symptoms caused by other soybean diseases.

In addition, the University will be work with its partners to provide management recommendations on when to invest in fungicides to protect their crops. Training applicators on how to apply fungicides will also be important. “Many applicators in Minnesota ’s soybean growing areas have never applied fungicides to crops before. This may be a new experience for them and we want to help them learn how to apply fungicides safely, accurately, and correctly,” Naeve said.

EPA-approved fungicides are the most effective control method for at-risk fields, Naeve said. Over the past few years, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture has worked with the South Dakota Department of Agriculture and the EPA to secure approval for more fungicides that could help farmers fight soybean rust. There are presently five fungicides approved for this use, with more expected to receive approval soon.

University researchers will also be working with USDA experts to help forecast the potential spread of rust in the U.S. and evaluate longer term solutions to the problem.

On Nov. 10, USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) confirmed that soybean rust has been discovered in two fields associated with a Louisiana State University research farm near Baton Rouge . Soybean rust is a fast-spreading fungal disease that has caused major yield losses around the globe. It is spread by the wind, and a variety of legumes including soybeans can serve as a host.

According to USDA-APHIS, the introduction of soybean rust to Louisiana is likely related to the recent active hurricane season in that region. APHIS dispatched its soybean rust detection assessment team, composed of scientific experts and regulatory officials, to the site within 24 hours. The assessment team will work closely with Louisiana State Department of Agriculture representatives to assess the situation and conduct surveillance around the detection site to determine the extent of the disease spread.

More information about soybean rust is available at web sites operated by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture www.mda.state.mn.us and the University of Minnesota . www.soybeans.umn.edu