For decades, Asian Soybean Rust (ASR) has plagued South American soybean fields, posing significant threats to their yields.
This deadly disease, primarily caused by the aggressive pathogen Phakopsora pachyrhizi, thrives in the hot and tropical conditions of South America, leading to yield losses ranging from 10 to 80%.
Diana Horvath, 2Blades' president, highlights the grave concern as she states that without a growing break, this pathogen finds an optimal environment for proliferation.
Consequently, in places like Brazil, where double cropping of soybeans was popular, the risk of ASR outbreaks increased manifold.
Farmers have tried various methods to combat this menace, including fungicide application and adjusting crop rotations.
Sergio Brommonschenkel, from the Universidade Federal de Viçosa, sheds light on the two primary fungicides used against ASR: single-site and multi-site.
However, resistance has emerged, making these once potent solutions less effective.
But not all hope is lost. With the recent complete sequencing of the ASR pathogen genome, doors have opened for creating transgenic ASR-resistant soybean varieties. 2Blades took the lead, finding ASR resistance in soybean relatives.
Partnering with industry giants like Corteva, they're on a mission to introduce these ASR-resistant soybeans to the market, offering a potential game-changer for South American farmers.