How far and how fast can the Asian soybean rust pathogen spread?
Soybean rust dispersal is highly dependent on environmental conditions. Once the pathogen is present, abundant spore production occurs during wet leaf periods of at least 8 hours (including extended dew periods) and moderate temperatures of 60 to 80F. The spread of the disease within a field can occur quickly. Long-distance dispersal is dependent on wind patterns and weather conditions and is the subject of current research. Most rust diseases travel 2030 miles a day from south to north in the United States. Soybean rust should follow a similar pattern.
