ARS | Publication request: INDIANA PREPARES FOR ASIAN SOYBEAN RUST

Submitted to: American Phytopathology Society Website
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: November 5, 2005
Publication Date: November 15, 2005
Citation: Shaner, G., Conley, S., Martyn, R., Abney, T.S., Westphal, A., Ruhl, G., Rane, K. 2005. Indiana prepares for asian soybean rust. American Phytopathology Society Rust Conference, Nashville, TN, Nov. 15, 2005.

Technical Abstract: In response to the confirmation of PHAKOPSORA PACHYRHIZI in the U.S., Purdue University staff formed a Soybean Rust Team to coordinate educational and monitoring efforts in Indiana. Team members participated in outreach, diagnostic, and monitoring activities throughout the state. The team developed a website and an extension publication, and operated a telephone hotline. More than 50 meetings were presented, where more than 5000 participants learned how to diagnose and manage rust. In addition, five meetings were organized by the Indiana Soybean Board, which resulted in more than 1000 growers and others being registered as first detectors with the National Plant Diagnostic Network (NPDN). Purdue sponsored visits by three soybean pathologists from South America, and three team members went to Brazil. The Purdue Plant and Pest Diagnostic Laboratory was equipped for real-time PCR detection of P. PACHYRHIZI. An exercise simulating the first finding of soybean rust in Indiana was conducted with state and federal regulatory personnel in conjunction with NPDN. Sentinel plots were monitored throughout the growing season and observations from them were regularly posted on the USDA-APHIS website. Nine sites also had forage legume hosts of P. PACHYRHIZI. Kudzu sites were located for future monitoring of soybean rust. Indiana received EPA Section 18 exemptions for use of several fungicides against soybean rust. Although no Asian soybean rust has yet been detected in Indiana, growers, industry personnel, and educators in the state are prepared to detect the disease and respond quickly to minimize impact on Indiana’s soybean crop.