Soybean Rust Identification Short Course

                     August 12th-13th, 2008 (This page was updated April 14, 2008)

This course will be registered for Pest Management CEUs.

Date:  August 12-13, 2008

Organizers:  Carrie Harmon1,2, Phil Harmon2, Jim Marois2, David Wright2  1Southern Plant Diagnostic Network; 2Department of Plant Pathology, University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences

Focus:  This Short Course has been designed with the agricultural specialist or consultant in mind; the intended audience includes soybean professionals from across the country.  As such, we will concentrate on hands-on identification of the disease on the plant.  We will also talk about scouting techniques and demonstrate methods we use to maximize our chances of finding the signs of this pathogen in the field.  There will be a section concerning field trials at the research station as well. This course will be registered for Pest Management CEUs.

Location:  This Short Course will be held at the North Florida Research and Education Center in Quincy, FL.  Click Here for a PDF version of a map and directions to the NFREC.

Registration:  Registration is FREE.  Funding for this course was provided by a grant from the North-Central Soybean Research Program.  However, pre-registration is required HERE so we may prepare for the right number of participants.  Course participants will be provided with a 20X hand lens, disposable gloves, sanitizing stations, relevant publications and handouts, meals and breaks during the training session, plus transportation to scouting sites and farm plot visits.  

Travel information:

Directions to the site

Airports:  Tallahassee Regional, Jacksonville International, Valdosta Regional  (We recommend Tallahassee; it is only a 20-minute drive to Quincy.)

Lodging:  Quincy Hampton Inn, Holiday Inn Express, Allison House Inn, (a B&B near the research center).  There are also options in Tallahassee, some near the airport. We have reserved a block of rooms under the name “Soybean Rust” at the Hampton Inn for August 11th and 12th. The rate is $79/nt and you can call the hotel directly at 850-627-7555. Mention the reservation block under Soybean Rust, then make your reservation with your name and room amenity choices. The hotel provides a free hot breakfast (starting at 6 am) and has complimentary high-speed internet in every room and a pool.  Make your reservations by July 11 to get the discounted rate.  Both the Hampton Inn and Holiday Inn Express are within ½ mile of the research center.

What to wear:  Comfortable shoes, relatively casual dress - if we are outside, you'll want to be comfortable in either sun and high humidity or possibly rain showers - this time of year, we are liable to have both.  Bring sunscreen, insect repellent, a hat, and sunglasses.

Schedule:

Monday, August 11, 6:00 pm

All participants are invited to join us for a little Southern hospitality!  Catfish dinner at the NFREC at 7:00 pm.  Click Here for a PDF version of a map and directions to the NFREC.  There is no cost for short course registrants or their guests.

Tuesday, August 12 (this schedule subject to minor revision):

8:00      Registration at the NFREC

8:30      Welcome remarks from Director of the NFREC

8:40      Remarks from David Wright, NCSRP

8:50      Introductions

9:00      Overview of work on soybean rust at the NFREC

9:30      Role of PIPE and NPDN

10:00    Break

10:15    Spore trapping studies

10:30    Fungicide Results to date

10:45    Kudzu susceptibility

11:00    Progress in genetics

12:00    Lunch (provided)

            1:00      Split into 3 groups and rotate through

            1)  Microscope studies, 2) Field trip to research plots, 3) Field trip to kudzu plots

4:30      Hands-on: using the ELISA system

5:00      Low Country Boil Supper (provided, on the NFREC farm)

 

Wednesday, August 13

 

8:30      Epidemiology of soybean rust

9:00      Cultural control of soybean rust

9:15      Physiological Impact of soybean rust

9:30      Soybean rust control in organic systems

9:45      Sentinel plots experience in Florida

10:00    Break

10:15    The Brazilian soybean rust perspective

10:45    Canadian soybean rust perspective

11:00    Wrap up and discussion

12:00    Adjourn

Questions?  Suggestions?  Contact Carrie Harmon at (352) 392-3631 ext 254.

Note:  Sanitation precautions we will take include disposable gloves for any field work, disposable gloves for hand lens and microscope work, and ethanol spray stations before departing the facility.  While we want to make this experience as useful for the participants as possible, which includes handling of infected plants, we want to make sure participants take every reasonable precaution to minimize possible transportation of inoculum.  Neither the University of Florida nor the Southern Plant Diagnostic Network will accept liability of disease spread due to participant travel - each participant will be personally responsible for decontamination of their person and effects.  Participation in this short course signifies acceptance of this responsibility.