Jason Jenkins Senior Information Specialist 573-882-2980 JenkinsJL@missouri.edu Jan. 7, 2005 MU Extension holds soybean rust workshops in NW Mo., Jan. 25-26 GRANT CITY, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension will offer two Asian soybean rust workshops in northwestern Missouri later this month to train producers on how to identify and manage this yield-reducing foliar disease. Workshops will be held Jan. 25 at the Bethany, Mo., Community Center, 105 N. 25th St., and Jan. 26 at the St. Joseph, Mo., Ramada Inn, 4016 Frederick Blvd., said Erin Marlow, MU Extension regional agronomist. Both workshops begin at 4:30 p.m. “We’ll be addressing the arrival of the pathogen in Missouri and the implications for growers and dealers during the 2005 growing season,” Marlow said. “Hopefully, we can dispel some of the myths and rumors.” MU Extension plant pathologist Laura Sweets and soybean specialist Bill Wiebold will both give presentations, she said. “Laura will talk about how rust was introduced in the U.S., the biology of the disease, how to identify it, the role that weather will play in its spread in 2005, and the fungicide treatment options that are available,” Marlow said. “Bill will talk about soybean development stages and how the crop is affected by stresses.” Asian soybean rust was first discovered in the continental United States this past November in a soybean plot in Louisiana. Since then, it has been detected in eight other states, including Missouri. When left untreated, the disease has caused up to 80 percent yield loss in infected soybean fields in South America. Unlike other foliar soybean diseases, which can be managed through crop rotation and residue management, soybean rust survives only on living plant material, requiring that producers be vigilant when scouting during the growing season. “We’ll end both workshops with question-and-answer sessions,” Marlow said. “We really want to provide local growers with information they can use to make sound management decisions.” Cost for the workshop is $10 per person, which includes dinner and handouts. Pre-registration is required one week in advance. To register, e-mail Marlow at MarlowE@missouri.edu, call (660) 564-3363 or contact your local MU Extension office. Source: Erin Marlow (660) 564-3363 Return to Current News Releases College of Agriculture Food and Natural Resources AgEBB