Hot, Dry Conditions in Southern US
Minimizes Soybean Rust Risk to Date

One of the most important and often under appreciated aspect of diseases is the critical role the environmental plays. In some cases the environment allows pathogens to flourish and thus, diseases development. In other cases, unfavourable environmental conditions limit pathogen and disease development.

Soybean rust is a good example of how the environment can change disease potential. In the new year, soybean rust was detected in the southern US in greater numbers then in the previous winter. At that time, the concern revolved around increased spore production in the early spring and its impact to Canadian soybean farmers. Fortunately (at least for us) the southern US is experiencing a long hot, dry spell that has limited soybean rust and more importantly minimized spore production. The good news is our risk to soybean rust is low at this time. The Ontario soybean rust sentinel plots are in place and we will continue to monitor these plots and the US situation.

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