CONTACT: Dr. John Mueller, (803) 284-3343, ext. 223; jmllr@clemson.edu

DATE: 9/19/2007

WRITER: Tom Lollis, (803) 284-3343, ext. 241; tlollis@clemson.edu

Asian soybean rust makes first appearance in S.C. for 2007

BLACKVILLE – Asian soybean rust has finally made its appearance in South Carolina for 2007.

This plant disease, which can cause severe yield losses if left unchecked, appeared in leaf samples taken from a sentinel plot near Estill in Hampton County on Sept. 11, according to John Mueller Clemson University nematologist/plant pathologist at Edisto Research and Education Center.

Since then rust has also been found in Dorchester County and in another field in Hampton County near Brunson.

Mueller recommends that soybean growers in southeastern South Carolina, including the Savannah River Valley and areas just south of the Santee, apply a fungicide containing a triazole compound to their soybeans.

“Addition of a strobilurin or other fungicides for the control of pod and stem diseases is probably a good idea,” he said.

“North of lakes Marion and Moultrie use of a strobilurin for protection against rust is warranted, but addition of a triazole may be helpful,” said Mueller. “Triazoles do a better job of eradicating rust infections than strobilurins.”

He reminds growers that fungicides may not legally be applied after half the soybean plants in a field reach growth stage R-6. That is when a pod is present containing a green seed that fills the pod capacity at one of the four uppermost notes on the main stem.

Soybean growers can follow news about rust on a USDA web page, http://www.sbrusa.net.

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