If fungicides are used in rust prevention will some loss in yield occur?
Yes, yield losses are possible, but losses should be minimal if fungicides are applied timely and with good coverage. However, this depends on the level of rust within individual fields and also the amount of inoculum within MS. In 2009, we estimated the amount of statewide yield loss from soybean rust to be between 0 and 3%; however, this was greatly overshadowed by the amount of seed rot that occurred following several weeks of wet weather. Rust as detected earlier in the major soybean growing areas within MS than in the past. In addition, two particular fields in Noxubee County suffered between 8 and 25% yield loss in response to soybean rust infection.
