Soybean rust spreads to Marlboro County

Soybean rust now has spread to 13 counties in South Carolina, including Marlboro in addition to Darlington and Florence, according to the Clemson University Edisto Research and Education Center.

John Mueller, soybean pathologist and director of the center, said the problem also has been confirmed in Allendale, Barnwell, Berkeley, Calhoun, Colleton, Dorchester, Hampton, Horry, Lexington and Orangeburg counties.

Jody Martin, extension lead agent for Florence County, said most of the soybeans in this area already are matured enough that the disease will have little effect on them, if any. The disease causes premature defoliation, early maturation and severe loss of yield through reduction in the number of pods and seeds, and decreased seed weight.

For more information on Edisto’s soybean research, visit http://www.clemson.edu/edisto/soybeans/ online.