Major accomplishment in this project included:
• The research developed field scale disease models based on temperature, relative humidity and leaf wetness and linked these factors to overwintering inoculum sources on kudzu. Several models were developed and tested under field conditions. Spray applications based on rain events were most effective in controlling disease, with further refinement possible by considering temperature and relative humidity.
• The Quincy Florida station continued a multistate collaboration with scientists needing to work on soybean rust under high disease pressure conditions. Several fungicide trials were conducted but again disease pressure was low and no impacts on yield were observed. Identification of resistance genes in kudzu was successful and a survey of the resistance in kudzu populations was accomplished. It was found that about 30% of the kudzu population in Florida is resistant to soybean rust and the national forecast models were adjusted accordingly.
• Continue to assist in the development of cultivars with resistance to soybean rust. Early and advanced lines were tested under field conditions for resistance to soybean rust, although disease pressure was low, yield quality and quantity data were obtained. This work will continue through cooperation with David Walker. An early frost (November 11) further limited our field studies.
• Several classes were held on ASR identification and management at NFREC Quincy, FL. for industry and researchers interested in learning more about soybean rust.

In summary, the Asian Soybean Rust project that was started in 2006 produced the following major accomplishments:
• Established a center for soybean rust research in North America;
• Collaborated with scientists from the US and world on field research plots at Quincy, FL.;
• Provided disease control and yield data for registration of pesticides in North America;
• Developed effecting control strategies for soybean rust under field conditions;
• Trained over 700 people on the identification and control of soybean rust in North America;
• Developed models for predicting when application of fungicides is necessary;
• Identified resistance in kudzu to soybean rust and its importance to development of disease in soybean;
• Determined the role of solar radiation within the canopy spread of soybean rust;
• Determined the effect of canopy microclimate and row spacing on soybean rust;
• Determined the existence of systemic acquired resistant in soybean to soybean rust;
• Quantified the genetic response of soybean to soybean rust infection;
• Quantified spore dispersal and impact of rainfall on spore deposition;
• Defined the epidemiology of soybean rust in soybean sentinel plots and resistant/susceptible kudzu populations;
• Continued cooperative studies to develop soybean cultivars resistant to soybean rust; and
• Published 42 research papers resulting from this project, with several more in preparation.