Oct 31, 2024
Soybean Rust Monitoring Program Started in Rio Grande do Sul
Author: Michael Cordonnier/Soybean & Corn Advisor, Inc.
The state of Rio Grande do Sul in southern Brazil has initiated it's 2024/25 Program to Monitor Soybean Rust. Soybean Asian rust is the most important soybean disease in Brazil and can cause losses of 10% to 90% especially in years were weather favors disease development.
Scientists have installed 74 spore collection devices across the state to track the spread of rust spores and allow scientists to alert farmers when the number of spores in a specific region justifies chemical treatment. Data from the program, which is free, identifies regions where the disease is more prevalent and the weather conditions favor the disease development.
The program is in its fifth year and is coordinated by Emater and the State Department of Agriculture in collaboration with diverse institutions including research centers, universities, and private organizations such as cooperatives and seed companies. The goal of the program is to guarantee sustainable and profitable soybean production in the state of Rio Grande do Sul.
Chemical control of soybean rust is expensive so farmers are encouraged to manage the disease by following these recommendations:
- Utilizing short cycle soybean varieties.
- Planting at the start of the recommended planting window.
- Reduce the planting window as much as possible.
- Utilize soybean varieties with the most resistance to the disease.
- Adhere to the soybean free period between growing seasons.
- Monitor the disease in your region by utilizing data from the Program to Monitor Soybean Rust and apply a preventative fungicide treatment or as soon as symptoms appear.
- Use only approved fungicides and ensure that the chemical treatment covers 100% of the foliage.
Rotating fungicides and utilizing the minimal amount of fungicide necessary to adequately control the disease helps to prevent the disease from developing resistance to chemical treatments.