CropLife America (CLA) is continuing its cooperation with the American Soybean Association (ASA), the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to help provide farm organizations and federal officials with information on crop protection products and technologies to combat soybean rust.

USDA confirmed on Nov. 10 that Asian Soybean Rust (Phakopsora pachyrhizi) was detected in Louisiana, the first time the disease has been found in the United States.

“Soybean rust can be controlled through the use of fungicides. Working with our partners in agriculture and government, we have developed a good plan and some solid tools to minimize the damage from soybean rust,” said Jay Vroom, President and CEO of CropLife America.

“With the discovery of soybean rust on two research plots, we are cooperating with grower representatives and federal officials who are being vigilant in seeking more information about ways to prevent and combat the fungus,” said Vroom.

The crop protection trade association and its members companies have worked for several years with ASA and USDA officials to prepare fungicide products and contingencies to combat a potential epidemic of soybean rust. CLA staff has participated in pro-active soybean rust preventative exercises with representatives of several USDA agencies including the Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and Agricultural Research Service (ARS), several academic research institutions, the National Plant Board, the American Soybean Association, the American Farm Bureau Federation, and other local organizations.

“Whatever we can do to increase grower awareness of actions they can take to reduce an outbreak of rust, and help protect their crop yields, will benefit producers and consumer alike” Vroom said.

According to the EPA, two fungicides, chlorothalonil and azoxystrobin, have full registration for soybean rust control in the legume. Another five fungicides have received FIFRA Section 18 emergency exemptions in some soybean producing states with similar exemptions pending in other states. They are myclobutanil, propiconazole, boscalid, pyraclostrobin, and tebuconazole.

Two additional fungicides, trifloxystrobin and tetraconazole, are currently awaiting their first FIFRA Section 18 approvals. Some of these crop protection products must be used in combinations to control soybean rust, according to CLA.

In anticipation that the disease might eventually reach the United States, Vroom said that CLA worked closely with ASA, EPA, and USDA officials to obtain approval of fungicide products under FIFRA Section 18 for use by growers as emergency crop protection tools.

The fungus, which causes reddish blotches on the leaves, attacks primarily young growing soybean plants, weakens the plant and reduces yields. It has been in Africa, Asia, and South America for years, according to USDA officials.

CLA staff will be meeting with farm representatives and other stakeholders later this week at the Farm Broadcasters Convention in Kansas City to discuss soybean rust issues.

For additional information about soybean rust crop protection technologies and products, contact Dr. Ray McAllister of CropLife America at (202) 296-1585 or rmcallister@croplifeamerica.org.

Information about soybean rust can also be found on the American Soybean Association website, www.SoyGrowers.com; and USDA’s webpage, www.aphis.usda.gov

Established in 1933, CropLife America represents the developers, manufacturers, formulators and distributors of plant science solutions for agriculture and pest management in the United States. CropLife America member companies produce, sell and distribute virtually all the crop protection and biotechnology products used by American farmers.