First Report of Soybean Rust Caused by Phakopsora pachyrhizi in Nebraska

Sensitivity of Phakopsora pachyrhizi Isolates to Fungicides and Reduction of Fungal Infection Based on Fungicide and Timing of Application

Soybean rust (SBR), caused by Phakopsora pachyrhizi, is a damaging foliar fungal disease in many soybean-growing areas of the world. Strategies to manage SBR include the use of foliar fungicides. Fungicide types, the rate of product application, and the number and timing of applications are critical components for successful rust management. The objectives of this study were to determine i) the sensitivity of P. pachyrhizi isolates collected in the U.S. to a range of fungicides and ii) the reduction of fungal infection based on fungicide type and timing of applications on soybean. There were differences (P < 0.05) in effective concentration (EC₅₀) values among the fungicides tested. Azoxystrobin had low EC₅₀ values for both urediniospore germination and fungal sporulation on inoculated leaflets. There were differences (P < 0.05) in fungal sporulation for application times, fungicide treatments, and their interaction when the fungus was inoculated on plants. All application times and nearly all fungicide treatments reduced (α = 0.05) fungal infection compared with the nonfungicide control. Information on fungicide sensitivity of P. pachyrhizi isolates and the preventive and curative effects of different fungicides are important in the management of SBR.

Effects of Shade Intensity and Duration on Asian Soybean Rust Caused by Phakopsora pachyrhizi

Field studies to quantify the effects of shade intensity and duration on soybean rust caused by Phakopsora pachyrhizi were carried out in Florida in 2006 and 2007. Soybean plants at the V4 stage were inoculated with urediniospores at 2100, 0000, and 0200 h. Inoculated plants were either placed in cages that were covered with shade cloths of different mesh sizes allowing 70, 50, or 20% transmission of sunlight or were not covered so that the plants received 100% of sunlight. Plants kept under 20 and 100% sunlight were sampled 12, 18, and 36 h after inoculation to determine the in vivo germination percentage of urediniospores and the percentage of germ tubes that formed appressoria. In separate experiments, inoculated plants were placed under the shade (20% sunlight) and moved to unshaded conditions after 1, 2, and 7 days. For all experiments, soybean rust incidence and severity were rated 12 days after inoculation. Higher levels of disease incidence and severity were detected in plants under shade compared with those under full sunlight. Shade duration greater than 2 days favored disease development. Within 36 h, in vivo germination of urediniospores and formation of appressoria were not significantly affected by the treatments. These results may explain why soybean rust is more severe in the lower canopy and shaded areas in the field.