October 12, 2007

Over the last week soybean rust has been confirmed in Pawnee and Nemaha counties. The week before it had been identified in Richardson and Otoe counties. As most of the soybean fields are mature and completely defoliated at this time, we are surveying fields with any green leaves. All confirmed fields have been at very low incidence and severity. In most cases we are finding soybean rust in 1 in 100 leaves collected in these fields. Efforts will continue to identify where the disease spread to this season.

Fortunately for soybean producers this year, the disease is showing up too late for any impact on yield, and management will not be needed.

Loren Giesler
Seth Watson
Extension Plant Pathology, Lincoln