Louisiana has confirmed Asian soybean rust in soybean sentinel plots in Avoyelles and Rapides parishes in central Louisiana, about 80 miles north of the kudzu patches with rust on the coast.

Officials found the rust on Wednesday. It is the first report of soybean rust on soybeans in the state this year. Growers of early-planted soybeans in the southern parishes are making fungicide applications to combat Asian soybean rust and late-season diseases, according to the state commentary.

The incidence of infection was 50 percent in the Rapides plot, with a severity of 1 percent. In Avoyelles, both incidence and severity were at 2 percent, the commentary said. The soybeans are Group V’s in the R4 growth stage.

There are now 26 U.S. counties and parishes to have had soybean rust this year. These finds are the farthest north rust is known to be active at this time.

Louisiana officials said continued scattered showers have occurred lately. Although no other soybean rust has been found in Louisiana, conditions are favorable.

So far in 2007, the five state have reported confirmed cases of soybean rust in 26 different plots.

Leave a Comment

Name (required)

Email (will not be published) (required)

Website