February 25, 2004

Argentina Soy Crop Hit By Asian Rust
 
Asian rust, a highly contagious and potentially devastating fungal disease, has been found among soybeans in the province of Corrientes in northeastern Argentina, the country's animal, and food health agency, Senasa, said Tuesday.
 
This is fourth confirmed appearance of Asian this year, according to Senasa. In late January, Senasa reported outbreak of the disease at three locations in the province of Misiones.
 
Both Corrientes and Misiones lie on Argentina's northern border with Brazil, which has suffered serious crop damage because of widespread rust problems.
 
Asian rust can spread easily through the air and has likely stretched into Argentina from Brazil, analysts say.
 
Last year, the disease caused Brazilian farmers to lose around three million metric tons of soybeans. Asian rust destroys plant leaves and thus the plant's capacity to carry soybeans pods.
 
Senasa said the outbreak in Corrientes is confined to just six hectares.
 
"And it is worth highlighting that out of the remaining 1,300 hectares in the area, not one shows any suspicious signs (of infection)," Senasa said.
 
Senasa also said it was important to state that no evidence of Asian rust has been found in the country's main soybean-producing region, which is located in the central provinces of Buenos Aires, Cordoba and Santa Fe.
 
"Given this, the already mentioned outbreaks continue to be of scarce magnitude and are far from the country's principal productive zone," Senasa said.
 
Asian rust can be successfully treated with the proper application of fungicides, according to analysts and government officials.
 
Moreover, local analysts say, the disease is prone to spread in climates with certain climatic conditions such as Misiones and Corrientes. This makes it less likely the disease will become a major problem in Argentina.
 
"I don't think there is any reason to worry that this will become as serious a problem here as it is in Brazil," said Pablo Adreani, of AgriPAC consultants.