Does the planting date affect soybean rust incidence and severity?
The planting date does not directly affect rust incidence or severity. However, by planting early, the crop matures earlier. This potentially reduces the time that the crop is exposed to ASR, since the plant’s lifetime is shorter. In Virginia, soybeans can be planted in April, but there is no advantage compared to planting in May. Additionally, planting seed into cold soils will delay germination and increase the risk of seedling disease, which could reduce stand and yield. One should choose the planting date that will give the best yield and then implement ASR control measures if needed.
