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Providing Growers Management Strategies for Asian Soybean Rust
| Name | Jonathan K. Croft | | Situation | Asian soybean rust (ASR) is a disease that affects soybeans and can significantly reduce soybean yields if left untreated. ASR first entered the United States in 2004 and has migrated out of over wintering sites to infect soybeans in South Carolina. Currently, the best solution is proper monitoring and correctly timed fungicide applications. | | Response | In April of 2007, Clemson Extension Agent Jonathan Croft of Berkeley and Dorchester Counties initiated a monitoring plot to assist in the overall state effort to monitor for soybean rust. Croft began by using an early planted monitoring plot. This plot was abandoned after heavy deer damage and monitoring efforts were moved to the earliest planted commercial field in the two counties. Dorchester County was the second in South Carolina to confirm soybean rust. In addition to finding soybean rust, Croft visited farmers, scouted crops, and provided them advice on treatments. To further educate farmers on this disease and treatment recommendations, they were provided copies of the South Carolina Soybean Rust Newsletter through direct mailings and email. The newsletter provided detailed information about the disease, its migration, and proper fungicide application. | | Impact | Over 100 soybean producers in Berkeley and Dorchester Counties were given timely information on soybean rust and current management options. It is estimated that about 30% of the soybean acreage in Berkeley and Dorchester Counties were treated for soybean rust. The cost of treatment was estimated at $10.00 per acre. In Berkeley and Dorchester Counties, this totaled about $16,000 in application cost. Soybean rust has been shown in research plots in South Carolina to cause 5-15% yield loss. In Berkeley and Dorchester Counties in 2007, protecting 5-15% off the average yield with a fungicide application would have resulted in 2-6 bushels per acre or $28 to $84 at today's market price. |
Last update9/2/2008
This website is maintained by Amy West.
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