Specifically, there are no fungicides currently registered for use on soybeans to control the rust disease. Once the disease becomes established in an area, eradication is not practical. It would not be feasible to eradicate soybean rust in Hawaii or the New World due to the wide host range of the two soybean pathogens. If a disease is detected early, however, chances for eradication improve considerably. There is a lack of general information on the recognition and identification of the disease within the U.S. at the research, extension and industry levels.
Early recognition is crucial if any eradication attempt is to be successful.
There is no research currently being done in the U.S. on soybean rust disease although there has been extensive research on soybean rust in Australasia and Latin America. For the past twenty years the national and international funding for research on this disease has been minimal. Determine whether the species that occurs in Hawaii is definitely the Australasian species or a race of the Australasian species. Also, determine whether there is more than one race in Hawaii. Develop rapid identification methods that would enable scientists to identify quickly and reliably which fungal species is present in a given area.