Wisconsin's field crop advisors have had little exposure to the Emergency Exemption from the Federal label registrations procedure, commonly called Section 18. Therefore it might be worthwhile to explain this process because of the soybean rust situation.

Acceptable Use of Section 18 Fungicides
Wisconsin, and other soybean producing states, had an unprecedented number of fungicides approved by EPA through the Section 18 Emergency Exemption process for the control of soybean rust on soybean. These Section 18 Emergency Exemption registrations are an invaluable tool for production agriculture. Essentially, EPA allows for the limited use during a crisis situation of pesticides which do not have established food tolerances.

Although approved for use, it must be remembered these fungicides can legally be used only for soybean rust on soybean. Not for control of other soybean diseases or for improving "plant health".

As a result, each state must determine, either independently or collectively, what event will trigger an acceptable use of section 18 soybean rust fungicides. In Wisconsin, we have decided that event should be when rust is found in an adjacent state (Indiana, Illinois, Iowa and or Minnesota). This should avoid premature or unnecessary fungicide application, yet allow significant time for proper application.

Remember, this is for the Section 18 labeled fungicides, not for the fungicides which have a Section 3 label (Bravo, Echo, Headline and Quadris).

To use the fungicides, the applicator must have the section 18 supplemental label in their possession while applying and may be required to report the number of acres sprayed for each product. Labels are available from the Wisconsin Department of Trade and Consumer Protection website.

• Chlorothalonil (Echo 720, and Bravo Weather Stik)
• Azoxystrobin (Quadris)
• Pyraclostrobin (Headline)

These fungicides have a label (called Section 3) granted by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and are legal to use as labeled in Wisconsin. These fungicides are protectants and should provide adequate protection from soybean rust if used prior to infection.

Section 18 fungicides in Wisconsin
The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) has petitioned the EPA and received Section 18's for the following active ingredient's use on soybean rust in soybean:

• Myclobutanil (Laredo 25 EC, Laredo 25 EW)
• Propiconazole (Tilt, PropiMax, Bumper)
• Propiconazole and trifloxystrobin (Stratego)
• Propiconazole and azoxystrobin (Quilt)
• Tebuconazole (Folicur)
• Tetraconazole (Domark)