Soybean rust confirmed in Alabama

(Southeast Farm Press) – Soybean rust was found in a soybean sentinel plot in Dallas County and in a commercial soybean field in Hale County on Aug. 17.

The disease has now been found in 13 counties in Alabama on either soybeans or kudzu. It is very likely that rust has spread farther north within the state.

Nationally, rust has been detected in 50 counties across seven states including Arkansas, Mississippi, Louisiana, Georgia, Florida and Texas as well as in Mexico.

Weather conditions have been extremely favorable for rust development across Alabama in recent weeks.

Growers in central and south Alabama with fields between bloom and pod fill should be prepared to apply a fungicide for rust management if one has not been applied previously.

Growers in north Alabama might consider a protectant fungicide application when fields reach the R3-R4 growth stage to protect against rust, as well as other diseases such as frogeye and web blight.

Fields in high-risk rust areas at the pod-fill stage might best benefit from a triazole application that provides some curative activity.

Double-crop soybeans just past bloom might best benefit from a strobilurin/triazole tank or pre-mix to provide both protectant and curative activity.

For more information on soybean rust, see the soybean rust website. When viewing the national map, click on Alabama to read commentary and suggested management practices for the state.