There are two new tools for Iowa soybean producers and agricultural professionals to help them manage Asian soybean rust should it arrive in Iowa this year.

The first tool is a new publication, Asian Soybean Rust Management Strategies 2006 (PM 2028). It offers management guidelines on when it is appropriate to use fungicides, which class of fungicides to use at various growth stages and a current listing of approved of fungicides approved for use in Iowa to treat Asian soybean rust.

“Since most Iowa growers have never used foliar-applied fungicides to treat soybean diseases, we felt it was important to offer information that would help them make good decisions on when they deciding what type of fungicide to use, when to spray and when not to spray,” said Daren Mueller, plant pathologist, ISU Extension.

The costs for the publication are being paid by the Iowa Soybean Association. The management guide will be available the week of June 19 for order through any ISU Extension county office, online through the ISU Extension Distribution Center or by calling (515) 294-5247. A copy of this publication is currently available on the Web at http://www.extension.iastate.edu/Publications/PM2028.pdf 

The other tool is the newly redesigned Web site www.soybeanrust.info. This site is supported by the Iowa Soybean Rust Team and is designed to provide Iowa producers with the information they need to make research-based decisions on how to treat this new crop threat.

The general look of the site remains is similar, but the content has been significantly reorganized and updated. The content is now organized into three categories; identify, confirm and manage. This format allows users to more quickly and easily find the information they want.

“The list of available fungicides to treat Asian soybean rust is rapidly changing,” said Chuck Eckermann, pesticide bureau chief, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship. “I would urge anyone who produces soybeans or advises producers to refer to this site to keep up to date on which fungicides are available to treat Asian soybean rust,” he said.

The Iowa Soybean Rust Team was formed in 2002 to help Iowa producers prepare for Asian soybean rust. Team members include Iowa State University (ISU), the Iowa Soybean Association, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and the United States Department of Agriculture – Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.