In the News - September 2009
Soy rust now in 8 counties; fungicide application recommendation changes
STUTTGART, Ark. - Eight counties are reporting low levels of soybean
rust and with a fungus-promoting forecast of cool, wet weather, the University
of Arkansas Division of Agriculture on Wednesday issued a conditional spray
advisory for some areas.
Counties with confirmed rust are Ashley, Chicot, Desha, Drew,
Jefferson, Lee, Lincoln and Phillips.
"Although the disease has increased in both incidence and severity in
confirmed fields over the last week due to the unseasonable cool conditions, we
don't expect this disease to spread from field to field as long as it stays
dry," said Scott Monfort, extension plant pathologist for the University of
Arkansas Division of Agriculture. "The bad news is that we have the potential
for rain in the near future which would give soybean rust the chance it needs to
spread."
The National Weather Service at North Little Rock was forecasting a 20
percent to 40 percent chance of rain through Sunday, with the greatest chance on
Friday and Saturday.
The division's disease experts changed their watch-and-wait treatment
recommendations with the new confirmations and the growth of rust in
northwestern Mississippi and northeastern Louisiana.
"We are not recommending a blanket application of rust fungicides for
Arkansas," he said. "At this time, the southeast and east central parts of
Arkansas are more at risk and should be the primary area of concern when
considering applying a fungicide."
Monfort warned the recommendations could change in the next few days as
scouting continues and the diagnostic labs receive samples from other parts of
the state.
Monfort was encouraging growers, agents and consultants to send in
samples from suspect fields to the Division's Lonoke Diagnostic Lab or the
diagnostic lab at Monticello.
For the latest information, call the Soybean Rust hotline at
1-866-641-1847. If you have any questions or concerns please contact Scott
Monfort (870-659-0648) or Cliff Coker (870-723-5519). For more information
about soybean rust visit
www.aragriculture.org/diseases/Soybeans/Rust/
agent_questions.htm
The Cooperative Extension Service is part of the University of Arkansas
Division of Agriculture and offers its programs to all eligible persons
regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age, disability,
marital or veteran status, or any other legally protected status, and is an
Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.
September 2, 2009
Media Contact: Mary Hightower
Extension Communications Specialist
U of A Division of Agriculture
Cooperative Extension Service
(501) 671-2126
mhightower@uaex.edu
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