Soybean Rust
Background
Phakopsora pachyrhizi is a fungus which causes soybean rust. This disease affects the health of soybean plants, but not human health. Soybean rust was first discovered in Japan in 1902. The fungus has been infecting soybean crops in other parts of the world for many years and reached the United States in November of 2004. Soybean rust, which is carried by wind-borne spores, has been spreading through South America and migrating toward the United States. The severe 2004 hurricane season most likely brought the fungus from the southern hemisphere. On November 6, 2004, soybean rust appeared in a U.S. soybean crop in Louisiana and by December, soybean rust was reported in nine states. The soybean harvest for this year is complete, bearing no impact from soybean rust on this year’s crops. The United States Department of Agriculture and soybean farmers have been preparing for this pest to appear for years. Effective fungicides that have been used successfully in other parts of the world are available in the U.S. However, organic farming systems by Federal regulation are severely limited in the types of pesticides that may be used, and thus face the potential for large crop loss to soybean rust. The fungicidal materials that may be used currently in organic farming systems have not been screened for efficacy against the SBR organism. These approved materials include older fungicides, like copper, sulfur, and hydrogen peroxide, and new technologies (biological or bio-chemical). Both approaches offer possibilities of some control and work has begun to test all organically approved methods for efficacy against soybean rust. A literature search of steps taken on organic management of soybean rust in international areas where the disease is endemic has already begun. And USDA in collaboration with several universities, organic farmers, and soy food manufacturers are exploring agriculture practices or substances that may augment the resistance of the plant or organic system to soybean rust.
For Consumers
Soybean rust is not a human health hazard and the safety of US food supply will in no way be impacted, if soybean rust infects plants. Soybean rust can destroy parts of soybean crops, but does not affect the quality or safety of soybeans or the foods derived from soybeans. Where soybean rust has infested the crop, soybean yields drop and production costs increase. A reduced supply of soybeans could lead to price increases for soy foods and soybean ingredients.
