The Minnesota Department of Agriculture has been working cooperatively with USDA APHIS PPQ, the University of Minnesota, soybean growers, crop consultants and others to develop a plan for the eventual introduction and establishment of Asian Soybean Rust into Minnesota. Planning and preparation for this eventuality has been ongoing for several years. The following is a brief overview of how Minnesota will respond to this approaching agricultural threat.

Regulatory

Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) and U.S. Dept. of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service - Plant Protection and Quarantine (USDA-APHIS-PPQ) are the two lead regulatory agencies at the state and federal levels respectively.

These agencies are responsible for preventing accidental or intentional introductions of the disease. These agencies are also responsible for issuing permits associated with the movement of regulated items subject to quarantine or other movement restrictions.

MDA and the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are the lead agencies for securing appropriate fungicide registrations. MDA has prepared and submitted a section 18 request for 7 fungicides.

Identification

The University of Minnesota Plant Diagnostic clinic will provide initial SBR identification for all samples collected. Suspect positives will be forwarded to Dr. Mary Palm at USDA APHIS for final confirmation with notice provided to MDA.

UM Extension will provide SBR identification training to MDA summer survey staff, crop consultants, county extension educators, and soybean growers in order to increase the pool of knowledgeable individuals in a position to provide early detection of the disease.

Communication

Upon confirmation that SBR has been identified in Minnesota, The Commissioner of the MDA shall issue a statement to that effect. The SBR Communication team consisting of representatives from MDA, UM, USDA-APHIS, MN Soybean Growers shall provide media with appropriate information to assist farmers and others to understand the situation and how to best respond.

Education and Outreach

The University of Minnesota shall be the lead for developing and disseminating technical, biological and management information regarding SBR. MDA, USDA-APHIS and MSB shall assist, review and help coordinate the development and distribution of these ouitreach materials.

Management

USDA and University scientists both inside and outside Minnesota are responsible for reseaching and developing SBR resistant or tolerant soybean varieties. It is anticipated that productive widely available resistant varities will not be available for several years.

USDA and University scientists are also responsible for and actively researching the most effective fungicide treatments and cultural management strategies to best respond to this disease.

Any suspected introductions of soybean rust should be immediately reported to:

Arrest The Pest Hotline... 651-201-6684
Toll Free... 888-545-6684
Invasive Species Program
Plant Protection Division