Are fungicides effective against Asian soybean rust (ASR)?
There are effective fungicides for controlling ASR. Since there are currently no soybean cultivars with acceptable levels of resistance to ASR, fungicides will be necessary to control this disease. University, USDA, and industry fungicide trials have been underway in Africa, South America, and the southeastern United States. Fungicide efficacy, application timing, and management strategies have been established and will continue to be refined. Current research data give plant pathologists and the industry a basis for recommendations in the United States. However, environmental conditions and soybean cultivars grown in Virginia are not identical to those in South America, Africa, and other parts of the southeastern U.S. More work is needed to firmly establish the best strategies for the conditions and soybean cultivars in Virginia and other parts of the country.
