In Illinois, when can Section 18 fungicides be applied to soybeans?

The Illinois Department of Agriculture, as the state lead agency for the administration of the FIFRA (Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act) in Illinois, states that growers can choose to make label-consistent applications of Section 18-registered fungicides onto soybeans at any time such application would be consistent with the provisions of the product label. In other words, if a grower believes that the use of one of these products would be beneficial in combating a possible outbreak of Soybean Rust in his or her specific production field, and the product is appropriately registered and labeled, the grower is free to use the product as the label instructs.

As with any pesticide, the use of fungicides registered with the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the Illinois Department of Agriculture must always be conducted consistent with the provisions of the product label. As the current Section 18 product labels indicate, these products are intended for the control of Soybean Rust on soybeans. Use for any other purpose is not allowed.

In Illinois, can Section 18 fungicides be legally applied in Illnois even if Soybean Rust has not been confirmed in Illinois?

Yes, growers can apply Section 18 fungicides in Illinois. However, the Section 18 label clearly states that the products are approved for the management of Soybean Rust, and the products are not approved for control of other foliar diseases.

With regard to the creation of some type of definition for “imminent threat of soybean rust” or some other type of triggering mechanism that would specify WHEN Illinois soybean growers can apply Section 18 fungicides, the Illinois Department of Agriculture does not believe that such a definition or trigger is necessary. Growers and / or crop consultants make important pest management decisions all across the fields of Illinois every day during the growing season. Determinations regarding pesticide applications associated with Soybean Rust control treatments should not be considered any differently.

List of pesticides that the Environmental Protection Agency has approved for use against Soybean Rust as of April 19, 2006.
List of pesticides that the Illinois Department of Agriculture has approved for use against Soybean Rust as of April 25, 2006.
List of approved fungicides for Soybean Rust at the University of Illinois Department of Crop Science website.
List of approved fungicides for Soybean Rust at the StopSoybeanRust.com website.
List of Syngenta products at the FarmAssist website.

For information about use of Section 18 pesticides in Illinois, contact:
Warren D. Goetsch, P.E.
Bureau Chief, Environmental Programs
Illinois Department of Agriculture
P.O. Box 19281
Springfield, Illinois 62794-9281
Telephone: (217) 785-2427