September 11, 2006

Soybean rust reported in three counties in US state of Georgia

Georgia officials reported finding Asian soybean rust on kudzu in three southwest Georgia counties. All appear to be "new" infections after recent rains.

This means there are now 41 counties and parishes that have been confirmed to have soybean rust in the US in 2006. At the same time last year, there were 55 counties.

The samples, collected Sept 5, put two more counties back as positive on the USDA's observation map. These two counties last had rust on kudzu in early 2006, but were regarded as safe when those infections appeared to be destroyed.

These rust infections found this week seem to be 'new' infections, probably caused by spores brought in with the recent and frequent rain showers, according to the USDA.

One new county, Seminole, has rust for the first time this year. Rust was found in the county on volunteer soybeans in 2005 -- the second US find of 2005, but  it had not been found in this particular site since 2004, officials said.

This brings to eight the number of counties in Georgia positive for rust in 2006. In 2005, Georgia ended up with 34 positive counties by year's end.

With the recent rains and the detection of rust South Carolina, it is extremely important for producers to look out for possible rust and be prepared to spray crops for it, the USDA rust commentary said.