Asian soybean rust has finally been found in Georgia in 2015. The disease was found on soybean leaves from sentinel plots in Attapulgus, Decatur County. Asian soybean rust has been slow to develop in Georgia and Alabama this year, but has been found scattered throughout Mississippi.
Dr. Bob Kemerait says,”Any soybeans that have reached full seed/R6 growth stages are “safe”. Younger beans (especially those in early pod development stages in the southern part of the state) are still vulnerable to the disease. With recent rainfall patterns and cooler temperatures, the disease could begin to spread more quickly.”
This is a disease that must be sprayed in a preventative manner. If you believe that you have a field that may be young enough where it’s susceptible to yield losses, ei. flowering to full pod stages, then I would consider a fungicide application at that time. Also, if you have ultra-late beans UGA Extension research has shown that a fungicide application should be delayed until soybeans have reached flowering stage.