Asian soybean rust spreads rapidly in Brazil, researcher alerts

Asian Soybean Rust is spreading very fast in Brazil, although it was detected a little later in 2013/14 soybean crops. The researcher Ivan Pedro said that all productive class should be alert.

According to him, current and future climatic conditions are the main reason for the increased incidence of the disease. The pathogen is already in major soybean producing areas: 37 outbreaks, being 18 in Goias, 11 in Sao Paulo, 2 in Parana, 1 in Minas Gerais and 5 in MatoGrosso.
 
"Control measures most appropriated now are monitoring and controlling through chemical fungicides. The applications of the products should be made respecting the ideal climatic conditions and as a preventive action,"says the expert.
 
He continues: "It must begin at the pre-flowering or flowering stage of culture (R1), even in areas where the disease has not yet been identified. Additional applications should be made at planned breaks, aiming to achieve higher levels of control. As fungicide options, you should choose mixtures with strobilurin or strobilurin with carboxamidesfor greater efficacy in controlling."

"It is important to mention the importance of controlling also the varieties of super early and early cycles, it contributes to a lower inoculum pressure for medium and late maturing cultivars and often the control is not done properly in the first ones, which can evolve to problems and increase cost control in the others," adds Ivan Pedro.
 
The specialist defends that " integrated handling measures and as a proactive matter" monitoring all possible enemies. For him, attention cannot be focused only on the Helicoverpa armigera, but also on other problems that occur simultaneously such as nematodes, weeds and diseases - especially the rust.