Soybean Rust No Cause for Panic

PRINCETON - Nov 18/04 - SNS -- Last week's discovery of Asian soybean rust for the first time in the United States presents powerful challenges to the industry, but is no cause for panic, argues Don Hershman, a plant pathologist with the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture.

The fungal disease had been found in all major soybean growing areas of the world except the United States until last week. Officials believe spores of the disease may have been carried into the area by hurricane winds. The disease poses potentially devastating losses in soybean yields, but it poses no risk to human health.

It can be controlled by using fungicides but can increase production costs as much as 25%, said Hershman. There are several fungicides already available for use and between now and spring more will likely receive approval.

With the Nov. 10 announcement by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, soybean producers shouldn't panic, Hershman said.

"It is not the end of the world," he said. "Other countries have learned how to survive with this and soybean production acres are still fairly stable in the world. So, if they can do it, we can do it too. It will be a challenge and there will be some pain, but overall, we will survive."

Researchers are searching Louisiana and many other states for signs of the disease. In Kentucky , researchers will be looking at plants such as kudzu and volunteer soybean plants to see if any sign of the disease has shown up here.

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