Although Asian soybean rust has not been a serious production problem outside of the southeastern United States, soybean producers in Georgia need to be prepare to manage this disease annually. In a stark example from 2012 where a grower managed rust in one half of a field but not the other, yields in the untreated half were reduced by 50%. As of the conclusion of the 2016 season, national funds, e.g. the United Soybean Board, were no longer available. As funding formerly available from national sources is now gone, funding from the Georgia Commodity Commission for Soybeans has become essential to protect the interests of our soybean producers.

To develop, implement, monitor, and report on the results from a sentinel plot monitoring program for Asian soybean rust and other diseases of soybean. Sentinel plots will have been established across Georgia since 2015 and monitored appropriately throughout the season for the development of Asian soybean rust. Based upon our research, fungicides that were applied based upon early warning may have protected yields by 25 bu/A (or more in some cases). Asian soybean rust will remain an important concern and limiting factor for growers in our state into the future.

The success of the Asian soybean rust sentinel plot program is especially pronounced when weather conditions (extended periods of rain) early in the season appeared to be extremely favorable for development of soybean rust and other diseases. Without the sentinel plot program, recommendations early in the season would be to apply fungicides which would have increased production costs for the growers. With a sentinel plot program in place, recommendations to apply fungicides are given when they are actually needed.