Bahia records 1st case of Asian rust in the 2024/25 harvest

The 2024/25 soybean harvest in Bahia, already in the harvest phase, registered the first case of Asian rust (Phakopsora pachyrhizi) this month of February. The case, identified on the 5th, occurred in the production center of Rosário, in the municipality of Correntina through the collection of suspicious samples by the Phytosanitary Program team of the Association of Farmers and Irrigators of Bahia (Aiba) and confirmation occurred after analysis in an accredited official laboratory, carried out with the support of the BA Foundation, in Luís Eduardo Magalhães.

Based on monitoring strategies and with the collaboration of the Spore Hunter system, which constantly monitors the main production centers in the region, including the Soybean Ring (Estrada do Café), Placas, Bela Vista, Paraíso and Rodovia da Soja, it was possible to obtain a greater degree of accuracy in the surveys.

The late recording of the disease in this harvest contrasts with occurrences in previous years, when the first outbreaks were identified in November and December. This result is a reflection of the strengthening of phytosanitary monitoring actions, the use of good agricultural practices and technical monitoring of rural producers.

Continuous monitoring and effective control

The Bahia Agricultural Defense Agency (Adab), responsible for the official registration of occurrences of the disease in the state, is closely monitoring the situation and emphasizes that there is no reason to be alarmed, reinforcing the importance of monitoring and adequate control.

“We are monitoring the situation through the Phytosanitary Program, in partnership with Aiba, Abapa and Fundação Bahia. It is essential that producers pay attention to technical information to monitor their crops and apply fungicides when necessary. There is no reason to panic, as Asian rust is occurring at low pressure and late in our region. The recommendation is to intensify control and follow technical guidelines,” explains Nailton Almeida, state agricultural inspector at Adab.

Monitoring of Bahian crops relies on the collective support of the main agribusiness institutions, including Aiba, the Bahian Cotton Producers Association (Abapa), Embrapa and the Bahia Foundation. Spore collectors installed at several strategic points in western Bahia are essential tools for early detection of the presence of pathogens such as Asian soybean rust and cotton ramularia.

The importance of prevention and correct management

If the disease is suspected, producers should immediately notify the Phytosanitary Program team or Adab so that appropriate measures can be taken. Aiba's Agribusiness Manager, Aloisio Junior, emphasizes that the late identification of rust in this harvest reflects the efficiency of control strategies.

“This harvest, the first case was only recorded in February, which shows a scenario of stability in occurrences compared to previous harvests, when the disease was identified in months such as November or December. This result is due to the systematic monitoring carried out by partner entities and the good practices adopted by producers”, highlights Aloisio. He adds that after identifying the primary focus, the technical team of the phytosanitary program reinforced monitoring and guidance actions for compliance with preventive phytosanitary management in adjacent areas.

Asian soybean rust can cause severe productivity losses if not managed correctly. Therefore, following the management plan with adequate application of fungicides is essential to avoid negative impacts on the crop.